
Class 



Coipglit^J!* 



CCPffiiGirr DEPOSIT. 



«0. »• 



isTORiGAL- CSc Readings 




HISTORY 



OF 





pijfmouffi plantation 



Governor Bradford. 



With Introduction. 



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HISTORICAL CLASSIC READINC S.—No. 3. 



HISTORY 



OF 



Plymouth Plantation 



BY 



WILLIAM BEADFORD, 

The Second Governor op the Colony. 




PURITANS GOING TO CHURCH. 



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3. History of Plymouth Plantation. Gov. William Bkad- 

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4. King Philip's War, and Witchcraft in New England. 

Gov. Thomas Hutchinson. 

5. Discovery and Exploration of the Mis-sissij pi Valley. 

John Gilmary Shea. 

6. Champlain and His Associates. Francis Parkman, 

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LIFE OF WILLIAM BRADFORD. 



William Bradford was born in 1590 at Austerfield, an obscure 
town in Yorkshire, England. '^'Here and in some other places," 
writes Cotton Mather, to whom we are indebted for what is 
known of Bradford's early life, ^'he had a comfortable inherit- 
ance left him of his honest parents, who died while he was yet a 
child and cast him on the education, first of his grandparents, 
and then of his uncles, who devoted him, like his ancestors, unto 
the affairs of husbandry. Long sickness kept him, as he would 
afterwards thankfully say, from the vanities of youth, and made 
him the fitter for -what he was afterwards to undergo. When he 
was about a dozen years old, the reading of the Scriptures began 
to cause great impressions upon him; and those impressions were 
much assisted and improved when he came to attend the minis- 
try of Rev. Mr. Richard Clifton, not far from his abode; he was 
then also further befriended, by being brought into the company 
and fellowship of such as were then called professors. . . . Nor 
could the wrath of his uncles, nor the scoff of his neighbors, now 
turned upon him as one of the Puritans, divert him from his 
pious inclinations." 

When about eighteen years of age, Bradford, with a company 
who had separated from the established church, went to Hol- 
land. He was twice arrested for having fled from England; but 
an explanation of his reasons secured his early release, and 
he was permitted to join his friends at Amsterdam. While 
there he became apprenticed to a Frenchman engaged in the 
manufacture of silks. On coming of age he promptly converted 
the property left him in England into money, and engaged in 
business for himself at Leyden, Here he continued until, with a 



4 LIFE OF WILLIAM BRADFORD . 

portion of Mr. Robinson's church, he embai-ked in tlie Mayflower 
for New England. 

The perils and hardships endured by the Pilgrims on this fa- 
mous voyage are faithfully and graphically recorded in the History 
from which these selections have been made, and no doubt Brad- 
ford was an equal sharer in the many trials of the colonists on 
land. He was chosen the second governor of the colony in 
1621, and continued in that office, with the exception of five years, 
until his death in 1657. 

^^He was a person for study as well as action; and hence, not- 
withstanding the difficulties through which he passed in his 
youth, he attained unto a notable skill in languages. . . . He was 
also well skilled in history, in antiquity, and in philosophy; and 
for theology, he became so versed in it, that he was an irrefragable 
disputant against the errors, especially those of Anabaptism, which 
with anxiety he saw rising in his colony; wherefore he wrote some 
significant things for the confutation of those errors." At length 
he fell sick, and so continued through a winter and spring, and 
died on the 9th of May following, in the sixty-ninth year of his 
age. 

The opportunities which Governor Bradford had for writ- 
ing the history of the Plymouth colony were superior to those of 
any other colonist; and although his duties as chief magistrate 
^' would seem to afford him little leisure for writing, yet he 
thereby acquired an entire familiarity wnth every subject of a 
public nature in any way connected with the colony. This, taken 
\\\ connection with the high character which he has always en- 
joyed, has caused this work to be regarded as of the first authority, 
and as entitled to take precedence of anything else relating to the 
history of the Pilgrims." 

The History of the book is by no means uninteresting. After 
the death of the author the manuscript passed into the hands of 
his nephew Nathaniel Morton, who drew quite copiously from it 
for the facts in his " New England's Memorial." It afterwards 
came into the possession of Thomas Prince, who made use of it in 
his Chronological History of New England. On the death o| 



LIFE OF WILLIAM^RADFonP . 5 

Prince it was left in the Kew England Library, in the tower of 
the Old South Church, Boston. When Boston was occupied by 
the British in 1775-7G, the church was used by the British sol- 
diers for a riding-school, and it is quite likely that Bradford's 
manuscript history was among the spoils carried to Nova Scotia. 
In 1855, the manuscript, which had long been given up for lost, 
was found in Fulham Library, among a rare collection belonging 
to the Bishop of London. How it ever got from Boston to Lon- 
don still remains a mystery. 

Permission to copy the history was readily given, and in 1856 
it was for the first time published in the Proceedings of the 
Massachusetts Historical Society, and through the courtesy of 
the librarian, Mr. Samuel A. Green, we are now enabled to pub- 
lish these selections. 



Inasmuch as the complete History covers a period of over 
twenty-six years, it is necessarily too voluminous for school pur- 
poses. In attempting, therefore, to acquaint the pupils of our 
schools with the trials encountered by the Pilgrim Fathers and 
especially tlirough the medium of this early American classic, it 
has been necessary to abridge the narrative by omitting un- 
important details of little or no interest to the general reader. 
Care has been taken, however, not to omit n-ny incident of his- 
torical value or anything that might shed light on the general 
conditions in which the first settlers of Massachusetts were 
placed. Because of the somewhat antiquated style of Gov- 
ernor Bradford's narrative, it has been thought best occasionally 
to simplify it with more modern language, but as far as possible 
the original has been retained; so that the reader may obtain a 
knowledge not only of the history but of the literature as well. 



'' Next to the fugitives whom Moses led out of Egypt, the little shipload of 
outcasts who landed at Plymouth two centuries and a half ago are destined 
to influence the future of the world. The spiritual thirst of mankind has 
for ages been quenched at Hebrew fountains; but the embodiment in hu- 
man institutions of truths uttered by the Son of Man eighteen centuries 
ago, was to be mainly the work of Puritan thought and Puritan self-devo- 
tion. " — James Russell Lowell. 

"Bradford and Winslow were both marked personages in that scene of 
interest unparalleled, that scene of few and simple incidents, just the setting 
out of a handful of not then very famous persons, on a voyage; butM'hich, 
as we gaze on it, begins to speak to you as with the voices and melodies of 
an immortal hymn, which dilates and becomes idealized into the auspicious 
going forth of a colony, whose planting has changed the history of the 
world ; a noble colony of devout Christians, educated, firm men, valiant 
soldiers, and honorable women ; a colony, on the commencement of whose 
heroic enterprise the selectest influences of religion seemed to be descend- 
ing visibly ; and beyond whose perilous path are hung the rainbow, and 
the western star of empire." — Rufus Choate. 

"That mixed and strong feeling, Avhich we call love of country, and 
which is, in general, never extinguished in the heart of man, grasped and 
embraced its proper object here. Whatever constitutes country, except 
the earth and the sun, all the moral causes of affection and attachment 
which operate upon the heart, they had brought with them to their new 
abode. Here were now their families and friends, their homes, and their 
property. Before they reached the shore, they had established the 
elements of a social system, and at a much earlier period had settled their 
forms of religious worship. At the moment of their landing, therefore, 
they possessed institutions of government, and institutions of religion, and 
friends and families, and social and religious institutions, constituted by 
consent, founded on choice and preference, how nearly do these fill up 
our whole idea of country !" — Daniel Webster. 



PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 



CHAPTER I. 

DiSCOKTENT OF THE PURITANS. DECISION TO GO TO HOLLAND. 

It is well known unto the godly and judicious, what wars 
and oppressions Satan hath raised, maintained, and continued 
against the saints, from time to time, and in one sort or other, 
ever since the first breaking out of the light of the gospel in our 
honorable nation of England. Sometimes it has been by bloody 
death and cruel torments; at other times by imprisonment, ban- 
ishment, and other hard usage; as if he were loath that his 
kingdom should go down, the truth prevail, and the churches of 
God revert to their ancient purity and recover their primitive 
order, liberty, and beauty.* 

* " In our country, the United States, there are many churches. If a per- 
son desires to be a Methodist, or a Baptist, or a Catholic, or an Episco- 
palian, or a member of any other church, he is at liberty to do so. In- 
deed, he may go to any church or may keep away from all churches, just 
as he pleases. This we call religious toleration. But toleration like this 
was not the state of things in England during the reign of James I. He 
belonged to what was, and is still, the Church of England. The laws of 
England were largely based upon the assumption that every Englishman 
belonged to the one Church in which it was declared ' was the only true 
worship.' Unlike the churches of our day and country, the Church of 
England was supported by taxes, very much as the army was supported. 
No other church received any such aid. In fact, no other church had any 
legal existence. If any body of persons wanted to build a church of an- 
other denomination, the laws said they must not. 

"At that time there was a large number of persons in England who were 
called Puritans. They were very strict in their religious notions and mode 
of living. The most of them attended church as King James and the law 



g PL TMO VTH PL ANT A TIOK . 

The one side labored to have the right worship of God estab- 
Hshed in the church, according to the simplicity of the gospel, 
without the mixture of men's inventions, and to be ruled by the 
law^s of God's word, dispensed in those offices, and by those offi- 
cers of pastors, teachers, and elders according to the Scriptures. 
The other party, thougli under many colors and pretenses, en- 
deavored to have the episcopal dignity with their large power 
and jurisdiction still retained. But by the diligence of some godly 
and zealous preachers, and God's blessing in their labors, many 
became enlightened by the word of God, and had their ignorance 
and sins discovered ' unto them. 

These people became two distinct bodies or churches, and, on 
account of distance, did congregate severally; for they were of 
sundry towns and villages. In one of these churches (beside 
others of note) was Mr. John Smith, a man of able gifts, and a 
good preacher, who afterwa-rds was chosen their pastor. But 
these afterwards falling into some errors in the Low Countries,'' 
there (for the most part) buried themselves and their names. 

But in this other chui-ch, wdiich must be the subject of our 
discourse, besides other worthy men, was Mr. Kichard Clifton, a 
grave and revered preacher, wdio by his pains and diligence had 
done much good, and under God had been the means of the con- 



commanded, but they were in favor of a more simple form of worship, 
such a form as by its ver}^ simpHcity would purify the church from, what 
they regarded, its folHes and abuses. Hence their name, Puritans. 

" Some Puritans went farther. BeUeving that it was impossible to effect 
any change in the church, supported as it was by law, king and a multi- 
tude of interests, they separated themselves entirely from it and set up an- 
other church, an independent church. Hence they called themselves Sep- 
aratists or Independents. Unfortunately, they lived at a time when church 
persecutions were common. They could not meet except in secret. They 
were looked upon as rebels. One of their congregations, consisting of 
about three hundred persons, having been cruelly driven from place to 
place, resolved to go to Holland, where, they heard, ' was freedom of re- 
ligion for all men.' "—Anderson's New Grammar School U. S. Hist. 

"^Discovered.— Revealed, made evi- 1 '^ Low Countries.— The Nether- 
dent. I lands and Belgium. 



PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 



9 



f 



version of many. And also that famous and worthy man Mr. 
John Robinson, who afterwards was their pastor for many years, 
till the Lord took him away by death. Also Mr. William 15rews- 
ter/ a reverent man, wdio afterwards was chosen an elder of tlie 
church and lived with tliem till old age. 

But after these things they could not long continue in any 
peaceable condition, but were hunted and persecuted on every 
side, so that their former afflictions were but as flea-bites in com- 
parison with those which now came upon them. Some were taken 
and shut up in prison, the houses of others were beset and watched 
night and day, and the most of them were fain to fly and leave 
their houses, and the means of their livelihood. Yet these and 
many other sharper things which befell them, were no other than 
they looked for, and therefore they were the better prepared to 
bear them by the assistance of God^s grace and spirit. 

Seeing themselves thus molested, and that there was no hope of 
their remaining there, by a joint consent they resolved to go into 
the Low^ Countries, where they heard there was freedom of relig- 
ion for all men. So after they had continued together about a 
year, and held their meetings every Sabbath in one place or an- 
other, exercising the w^orship of God amongst themselves not- 
withstanding all the diligence and malice of their adversaries, 
seeing they could no longer remain in that condition, they re- 
solved to go into Holland. This was in the years 1607 and 1G08. 



"An act of Parliament passed in the first year of Queen Elizabeth's 
reign forbade all ministers to conduct public worship otherwise than ac- 
cording to the rubric* 

"A number of Puritan clergymen, some of whom were persons of dis- 
tinction, refused to comply with this act, and they and their followers re- 
ceived the name of Non-Conformists." 



3 William Brewster.— One of the 
chief founders of Plymouth Col- 
ony. In the church at Leyden he 
had acted as ruling elder, and he 
discharged the same duties in the 



church at Plymouth until 1629, of- 
ficiating as preacher twice every 
Lord's Day. 
* Rubric. 



10 



PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 



CHAPTER II. 

Their Departure into Holland, and their Troubles 
there; with an Account of some of their Many 
Difficulties. 

1608. 

Being thus compelled to leave their native soil, their lands 
and livings, and all their friends and familiar acquaintances, was 
much of an undertaking and thought marvelous by many. They 
regarded it an almost desperate adventure, and a worse misery 
than death, to go into a country they knew nothing about, where 
they must learn a new language, and get their livings they knew 
not how, it being a dear place' and subject to the miseries of 
war.'' They were not acquainted with trades (by which the 
country doth subsist), and had only been accustomed to a plain 
country life and the innocent trade of husbandry. But these 
things did not dismay them, although they did sometimes trouble 
them. 

Yet this was not all, for though they could not stay, yet they 
were not allowed to go. Their own ports and harbors were shut 
up against them, so that they were forced to seek secret means of 
conveyance, and to bribe and fee^ the sailors, and to give extraordi- 
nary rates for their passages. Furthermore, they were often be- 
trayed, and both they and their goods intercepted and surprised,^ 
and they thereby put to great trouble and expense, of which I 
will give an instance or two. 

A large company of them purposed getting passage at Bos- 
ton,^ in Lincolnshire, and for that object had hired a ship, and 



' Dear place. — Expensive toUvein. 

* Miseries of war.— The war with 
Spain, after a twelve years' truce, 
was about to be renewed. 



^ Bribe and fee. — Meaning? 
•* Surprised — Seized. 
^ Boston. — The name was origi- 
nally St. Botolph's Town. See map. 



PL YMOVTH PLANT A TIOX. 



11 



made agreement with the master to be ready at a certain day to 
take them and their goods in at a convenient place where they 
would all be in readiness. Although he did not come to them 
on the day appointed, he came at length and took them away by 
night. But when he had them and their goods aboard, he be- 
trayed them, having plotted with the searchers® and other officers; 



GERMAN 
O C EAN 




AMSTEWDWM 
DELFT HAVEN/I^--: 






LONDON -^, )i^^''^ ifci'^V^'^,, "" 



T^"', ^ ^ k O 





who took them and put them into open boats, and there rifled ' 
them of all their effects, then carried them back into the town 
and made them a spectacle to the multitude which came flocking 
on all sides to behold them. The result was that the greater 
part, after a month's imprisonment, w^e dismissed, and sent 



^ Searchers.— Officers appointed to 
examine outwarcl-bound vessels to 



see that they did not carry prohib- 
ited goods. 



12 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION. 



back to the places from which they came, but seven of the 
principals^ were still kept in prison and bound over to the 
Assizes.^ 

The following Spring an attempt was again made at another 
place to cross over. They met with a Dutchman at Hull, and 
made an agreement with him, hoping to find him more faithful 
than their own countryman. Accordingly at the appointed time 
the women and children with their goods were sent to the place 
in a small bark, which had been hired for that purpose, and the 
men were to meet them by land. It so happened that they were 
there fully a day before the ship came, and the sea being rough, 
and the women sick, they persuaded the seamen to put into a 
creek close by, where the bark lay on ground at low water. 

The next morning the ship came, but the bark was fast 
and could not stir until noon. In the mean time the ship's 
master, perceiving how the matter was, sent his boat to get 
the men whom he saw ready and walking about on the shore. 
But after the first load was got aboard, and tlie boat was 
ready to go for more, the master saw a great company of soldiers, 
both horse and foot, with bills'" and guns, and other weapons; for 
the country was raised to capture them.'' The Dutchman seeing 
this, and having a fair wind, weighed anchor, hoisted sails, and 
put out to sea. 

The poor men who had just been taken on board were in 
great distress on account of their wives and children, whom 
they saw left without their help, and they themselves had no 
clothing, except that on their backs, nor hardly a penny about 
them — all they had being aboard the bark. They would have 
given anything they had to have been back again on shore, but 
it was all in vain; there was no remedy, they must sadly part. 



8 Principals. — Meaning f 

® Assizes. — The principal sessions 
of the judges of the superior courts 
in tlie counties of England for the 
purpose of administering justice in 



the trial and determination of civil 
and criminal cases. 

^° Bill. — A sickle-shaped weapon. 

'- Raised to capture them. — The 
country was aroused to capture them. 



PL YMO UTIT plantation: 



13 



Afterwards a fearful storm arose, and they were out fourteen 
days before they landed at their port. '' 

But to return to the others, whom we left on the shore. 
The rest of the men were in the greatest danger, and prejjared to 
make their escape before the troops could surprise them. Those 
only remained who could be of the most assistance to the women. 
It was pitiful to see the condition of these poor women, weeping 
and crying; some for their husbands who were carried away in 
the ship; others not knowing what should become of them and 
their little ones; and still others in tears at seeing their little ones 
hanging about them, crying for fear, and shaking with cold. 
Thus captured, they were hurried from one place to another, and 
from one justice to another, till in the end the judges did not 
know wdiat to do with them; for to imprison so many women and 
innocent children for no other cause but that they wanted to go 
with their husbands seemed to be unreasonable; and to send 
them home was as difficult, for they had no home to go to, hav- 
ing either sold or otherwise disposed of their houses and livings. 

I might relate many other notable troubles which they endured 
in their wanderings both on land and sea; but I haste to other 
things. Yet I may not omit the results that followed, for by 
these public troubles, in so many eminent places,'' their cause be- 
came famous. Though some few shrunk at these first conflicts 
and sharp beginnings, yet many more came up with fresh cour- 
age, and greatly animated others. So that in the end, notwith- 
standing all these storms of opposition, they all got over to 
Holland, some at one time and some at another, and some 
in one place and some in another, and met together again accord- 
ing to their desires, with no small rejoicing. 



"The departure from England was effected with much suffering and 
hazard. The first attempt, in 1607, was prevented; but the magistrates 
checked the ferocity of the subordinate officers; and after a month's arrest 
of the whole company, seven only of the principal men were retained 

12 Port. — Amsterdam. | ^'^ Eminent places. — Mmniiig ? 



14 PLTMOVTH PLAmATTOK 

a little longer in prison. . . . Such was the flight of Robinson and 
Brewster, and their followers, from the land of their fathers. Their ar- 
rival in Amsterdam, in 1608, was but the beginning of their wanderings. 
They knew they were pilgrims, and looked not much on those things, but 
lifted up their eyes to heaven, their dearest country, and quieted their 
spirits. " — Bancroft. 



CHAPTER III. 
Settlemei^t in Holland, and Manner of Living There. 

Haying come into the Low Countries, they saw many goodly 
and fortified cities, strongly walled, and guarded with troojos of 
armed men. They heard a strange and uncouth language, and 
beheld the different manners and customs of the people, with 
their strange fashions and attires. But these were not the things 
they much looked on or considered ; for they had work in hand, 
and another kind of war to wage. For though they saw fair and 
beautiful cities, overflowing with abundance of all sorts of wealth 
and riches, yet it was not long before they saw the grim and 
grisly face of poverty coming upon them like an armed man, 
with whom they must buckle and encounter, and from w^hom they 
could not fly. 

When they had lived at Amsterdam about a year, Mr. Robin- 
son, their pastor, and some others of best discerning, thought it 
was best to remove. For these and some other reasons they went 
to Leyden,^ a fair and beautiful city. But, lacking that traffic by 
sea which Amsterdam'* enjoys, it was not so beneficial for their 
outward means of living. Being thus settled after many difficul- 
ties they continued many years in a comfortable condition, enjoy- 
ing much sweet and delightful society, and spiritual comfort 
under the able ministry and prudent government of Mr. Robin- 
son, and Mr. William Brewster, who was an assistant to him. 

^ Leyden . — Wiere ? ] * Amsterdam. — WJtere ? 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TIOK 



15 



If at any time any differences arose or offenses broke out, as 
will sometimes happen amongst the best of men, they were always 
met and nipped in the head' betimes. Such was the mutual 
love and reciprocal * respect that Mr. Eobinson had for his flock 
and his flock for him, that it might be said of him as it once 
was said of the famous Marcus Aurelius ^ and the people of 
Home, that it was hard to judge whether he delighted more in 
having such a people, or they in having such a pastor. 

But seeing it is not my purpose to treat of the several pas- 
sages** that befell this people whilst they thus lived in the Low 
Countries, I will mention a particular or two to show the 
good acceptation ' they had in the place where they lived. 
Though many of them were poor, yet there were none so 
poor but if they Avere known to be of the congregation, the 
Dutch would trust them in any reasonable matter when they 
wanted money. Because they had found by experience how 
careful they were to keep their word, and saw them so pains- 
taking and diligent in their callings, that they would even try 
to get their custom,* and to employ them before others in their 
work, because of their honesty and diligence. 

Again, the magistrates of the city, about the time of their de- 
parture, or a little before, in the public place of justice gave this 
commendable testimony of them. " These English,^' said they, 
^' have lived amongst us these twelve yeai's, and yet we never had 
any suit or accusation against them." 



3 Nipped in the head. — Meaning? 

* Reciprocal. — Meaning? 

5 Marcus Aurelius (a.d. 161-180). — 
"Roman Emperor. He was the 
last of the good emperors. His 
' Meditations ' have made him 



known to posterity" — Leighton's 
Histm^y of Rome. 

^ Passages. — Passing events. 

■' Acceptation. —Reputation. 

8 Custom. — Trade. 



16 PLYMOUTH PLANTATION . 



CHAPTER IV. 

Showi:n^Ct the Reasons and Causes of their Removal. 

After they had lived iu Leyden about eleven or twelve 
years, and sundry of them had been taken away by death, and 
many others had begun to be well stricken in years, the grave 
mistress Experience ' having taught them many things, the pru- 
dent governors, with sundry of the sagest members, began both 
deeply to apprehend their present dangers and wisely to foresee 
the future, and think of timely remedy. And first they saw and 
found the hardness of the place and country to be such that 
comparatively few would come to them from England and fewer 
still would bide^ it out, and continue with them. For many 
came to them, and many more desired to be with them, but 
could not endure the great labor and hard fare, with other in- 
conveniences, which they underwent and were contented with. 

They saw that although the people generally bore all these dif- 
ficulties very cheerfully, and with a resolute courage, being in 
the best and strength of their years, yet old age began to steal on 
many of them, so that it was not only probably thought, but 
apparently seen, that within a few years they would be in 
danger of scattering, or of sinking under their burdens, or both. 
As Necessity^ w^as a taskmaster over them, so they were forced to 
be such not only to their servants, but in a sort to their dear- 
est children; which not a little wounded the tender hearts of 
many a loving father and mother, and produced likewise sad and 
sorrowful effects. 

Though their minds were free and willing, yet many were so 
oppressed with their heavy labors that their bodies bowed under 
the weight and became decrepit in their early youth; the 
vigor of nature being consumed in the very bud, as it were. 

^ Experience.— Jfmm/i^'? | '^^i^e.— Meaning? \ ^Vecessity.— Meaning f 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION . 17 

Lastly (and which was not least), they had a great hope and 
inward zeal of laying some good foundation, for propagating and 
advancing the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in those remote 
parts of the world; yea, though they should be hut even as step- 
ping-stones unto others for the performing of so great a work. 
These, and some other similar reasons, induced them to carry 
out this resolution of removal. 

The place they thought of was some one of those vast countries 
of America, which are fruitful and fit for habitation, where the 
natives are only savage and brutish men, who range up and down 
like wild beasts. When this proposition was made public and 
came to the consideration of all, it raised many favorable opin- 
ions, and caused many fears and doubts among them. If they 
should go, the hardships they would have to undergo might 
possibly cause the death of some or all of them. For they would 
be liable to famine, nakedness, and the want, in a manner, of all 
things. The change of air, diet, and drinking water would 
probably cause sickness and disease. 

Those that should escape these miseries would be in constant 
danger of the savages, who are cruel, barbarous, and most 
treacherous, furious in their rage, and merciless where they 
overcome, not being content only to kill, but delighting to 
torment men in the most bloody manner. It was further 
objected that it would require greater sums of money to 
furnish supplies for such a voyage, and to fit them with neces- 
saries, than their consumed estates would amount to. It 
was ansAvered that all great and honorable actions are accom- 
panied with great difficulties, and must be undertaken and over- 
come with corresponding courage. It was granted that the dan- 
gers were great, but not desperate; the difficulties were many, but 
not invincible. For though there were many of them likely to 
happen, yet they were not certain; and it might be that many of 
the things feared might never occur; others by provident care 
and the use of good means might, in a great measure, be pre- 
vented; and all of them, through the help of God, by fortitude 
and patience, might either be borne or overcome. 
3 



18 PLYMOUTH PLANTATION 

True it was that such attempts were not to be made and under- 
taken witliout good ground and reason; not rashly or hghtly^ as 
many have done from curiosity or hope of gain. But their con- 
dition was not ordinary; tlieir purposes were good and lawful, 
and urgent; therefore they might expect the blessing of God in 
their proceedings. And even if they should lose their lives in 
this action, yet they might have comfort in the same, and their 
endeavors would be honorable. After many debates on the ques- 
tion, it was finally concluded by the greater part to put this 
design into execution, by the best means they could. 



CHAPTEE V. 



Showing what Mean^s they used in^ the Preparation 
FOR this Great Voyage. 

And first, after humble prayer unto God for his direction 
and assistance, they consulted as to what particular place to de- 
cide upon. Some desired to go to Guiana,' or some other of the 
fertile places in those hot climates; others wanted to go to Vir- 
ginia, where the English had already established themselves. 
Those who preferred Guiana asserted that the country was rich, 
fruitful, and blessed with a perpetual spring, where vigorous 
nature brought forth all things in abundance witliout any great 
labor or art of man. So that it must needs make the in- 
habitants rich, as less provision of clothmg and other things 
would be required than m colder and less fruitful countries. 
The Spaniards, having much more territory than they could pos- 
sess, had not yet planted there, nor anywhere very near the same. 

For Virginia, on the other hand, it was objected that if they 
lived among the English who were settled there, or so near them 

' One of the couutries in northern part of S. America. 



1*L YMO UTit PLANT A TION. 



19 



as to be under their government, they would be in great danger 
of being troubled and persecuted for the cause of religion — in fact 
quite as much so as if tliey lived in England, and it might be 
worse. And if they lived too far off, they should neither have 
help nor defense from them. 

At length they came to the conclusion to live as a distinct 
body, under the general government of Virginia; and through 
their friends to sue to his Majesty ^ that he would be pleased to 
grant them freedom of religion; and they were put in good hope 
that this might be obtained by some great persons of good rank 
who were their friends. Two ^ were chosen and sent to England, 
at the expense of the rest, to solicit this favor. They found the 
Virginia Company very anxious to have them go there,* and will- 
ing to grant them a patent, with as ample privileges as they had or 
could grant to any, and to give them all the assistance they could. 
But it proved to be a much harder piece of work than they ex- 
pected; for although much was done to bring it about, yet it could 
not be effected. 

There were many of high standing who labored with the king 
to obtain the patent, and among these was one of the king's chief 
secretaries, and some even plead with the archbishop to grant their 
request, but without success. They prevailed far enough to sound 
his Majesty's mind that he would not molest them, provided they 
conducted themselves peaceably. And this was all the chief of 
the Virginia Company or any other of their best friends could do. 
Yet they persuaded them to goon, for they presumed they should 
not be troubled. And with this answer tlie messengers returned, 
and told what they had done. 



* James I. 

3 Robert Cushraan and John Car- 
ver. Robert Cushraan was one of the 
business managers for the colony, 
and cared for their interests in Eng- 
land. He visited Plymouth once, in 
1631. John Carver, a prominent 



man among the Pilg^rims, was 
sent as a<^ent to England to make 
plans for the departure of the whole 
company. First Governor of Plym- 
outh Plantation, 1620. Died 1621. 
"* There. — Virginia. 



20 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION. 



Other messengers^ were dispatched to conchide with the Virginia 
Company as well as they could^ and to procure a patent with as 
good and ample conditions as they might by any fair means ob- 
tain, and to negotiate with such merchants and friends as had 
shown a desire to forward and take risks in this voyage. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Plans proposed by 



LoiTDON" Merchants to assist in the 
Undertaking. 



After this they concluded both what number and what 
persons should go with the first: for all who were willing to go 
could not get ready in so short a time; neither, if all could have 
been ready, would there have been means to have transported 
them all at the same time. Those that remained being the 
greater number required their pastor to remain with them, and 
as for other reasons he could not go, it was all the more readily 
yielded. The others then desired Mr. Brewster, the elder, to 
go with them, which was also conceded. 

It was agreed on by mutual consent and covenant, that those 
that went should be an absolute church of themselves, as well as 
those that stayed;' as in such a dangerous voyage, and a removal 
to such a distance, it might happen that they should never meet 
again in this world. The proviso^ was made that as any of the 
rest of the home church came over, or any of the others returned 
at times, they should be reputed as members without any further 
dismission or testimonial.^ It was also promised to those who 
went first, by the body of the rest, that if the Lord gave them 



5- Other messengers. — Robert Cush- 
mau and William Brewster. 
' Stayed. — Remained at home. 



"^ Proviso 
ment. 

^ Dismission 
C'burcli forms. 



A conditional agree- 
or testimonial. — 



PLYMOUTH rLANTATIOK 



21 



life and means and opportunity, they would come to tlicm as 
soon as they could. 

About this time, while they were perplexed with the proceed- 
ings of the Virginia Company, and were making inquiry about 
the renting and buying of shipping for their voyage, some Dutch- 
men * made them fair offers about going with them. Mr. Thomas 
Weston,' a merchant of London, came to Leyden about the same 
time, and after much conference with Mr. Robinson and others 
of their principal men, persuaded them to go on and not to meddle 
with tlie Dutch or to depend too much upon the Virginia Com- 
pany; for if that failed, he and other merchants who were his 
friends, together, with their own means, would set them forth; and 
they should fear neither want of shipping nor money, for what they 
wanted should be provided. 

Not so much for Mr. Weston as for the satisfying of such 
friends as he should get to venture in this business, they were 
to draw such articles of agreement, and make such j^i'opositions, 
as might better induce his friends to venture. Articles were 
drawn, and were shown unto him and approved by him, and 
afterwards sent to England by their messenger, Mr. John Carver, 
who, together with Robert Cushman, was to receive the moneys 
and make provision both for shipping and other things for the 
voyage, with this charge : not to exceed their commission, but to 
proceed according to the former articles. 

About this time they heard both from Mr. Weston and 
others that sundry honorable lords had obtained a large grant 
from the king for the more northerly parts of the country, de- 
rived from the Virginia patent, and to be called New England." 

But now another difficulty arose; for Mr. AVeston and some 
others who favored this course, either for their better advantage. 



•* The Dutch offered to transport 
the Pilgrims to the Hudson River 
without charge, 

* Thomas Weston.— He pretended 
to be a friend of the Pilgrims, and 
proposed to organize the company 



to assist them, expecting, as they 
afterwards learned, to gain much 
money out of their risk, 

^ Mr. Weston advised the Pilgrims 
to alter their plans and ally them- 
selves with the new company. 



22 PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION . 

or rather for the better drawing on of others, as they pretended, 
would have some of those conditions that were agreed upon at 
Leyden altered. The chief and principal differences between 
these and the former conditions were in these two points: that 
the houses, and improved lands, especially gardens and home lots, 
should remain undivided wholly to the planters at the end of seven 
years. Secondly, that they should have two days in the week for 
their own private enjoyment, for the more comfort of themselves 
and families, especially such as had families. 



"Their greatest hardship was the compact with the merchants. Tlie 
Pilgrims were poor, aud their funds were limited;, they had no alternative, 
therefore, but to associate with others; and, as often happens in such cases, 
wealth took advantage of their impoverished condition. By their instruc- 
tions, the terms on which their agents were to engage with the merchants 
were definitely fixed, and no alteration was to be made without consultation. 
But time was precious; the business was urgent; it had already been de- 
layed so long that many were impatient; and to satisfy the merchants, who 
drove their bargain sharply and shrewdly, some changes, compelled by the 
merchants, were made by Cushman, and by ten tight articles the emigrants 
were bound for the term of seven years."— /Zis^. of Mass. (Barry). 



CHAPTER VII. 



Departure from Leyden. Arrival at Southampton, where 
they all met together and took in their provisions. 

At length all things were ready. A small ship^ was bought 
and fitted out in Holland, which was intended to help to trans- 
port them, and to stay in the country and attend upon fishing 
and such other things as might conduce to the good of the colony. 
Another^ was hired in London, and all other things were got in 
readiness. So being ready to depart, they had a day of solemn 

' The Speedwell, a vessel of 60 I "^ The Mayflower, a larger vessel 
tons. I of 180 tons. 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION . 23 

humiliation, and a part of the time was spent in pouring out 
prayers to tlie Lord with great fervency, mingled with abundant 
tears. 

The time liaving come when they must depart, they were 
accompanied by most of their brethren out of the city, to a 
town several ^ miles off, called Delft- Haven,* where the ship lay 
ready to receive them. So they left that goodly and pleasant 
city, which had been their resting-place nearly twelve years. 
When they came to Delft-Haven they found the ship and all 
things ready. That night was spent with but little sleep to the 
most, but with friendly entertainment and Christian discourse 
and other real expressions of true Christian love. The next day, 
the wind being fair, they went aboard, and their friends with 
tliem, where truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mourn- 
ful parting. To see what sighs and sobs and prayers did sound 
amongst them, what tears did gush from every eye, what loving 
speeches pierced each heart, moved many of the Dutch strangers 
.wdio stood on the wdiarf as spectators, and they could not refrain 
from tears. Yet comfortable and sw^eet it was to see such lively 
and true expressions of dear and unfeigned love. 

But the tide which w^aits for no man called them awa}', though 
they were loth to depart. Their reverend pastor ^ falling on his 
knees, and they all with him, with watery cheeks commended 
them with most fervent prayers to the Lord. Then with mutual 
embraces and many tears they took their leave one of another; 
and it proved to be the last leave to many of them. 

Then hoisting sail, with a prosperous wind they came in a short 
time to Southampton,^ where they found the larger ship, which 
had come from London, lying ready with all the rest of their 
company. After a joyful welcome, and mutual congratulations, 
with other friendly entertainments, they began to talk about their 



^ Fourteen miles. 
* Delft-Haven — A small port in the 
Netherlands, near Rotterdam. 



'" Pastor. — John Robinson. 
6 Southampton. — Where f 



24 



PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 



business, and to dispatch it with tlie greatest speed, and also 
with their agents about the alteration of the conditions/ 

Mr. Carver pleaded he was employed here at Southampton, and 
did not know what the other agent had done in London. Mr. 
Cushman answered that he had done nothing but what he was 




A Model of the Mayflower in Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth. 

urged to do, partly on the ground of equity, but more especially 
by necessity, otherwise all had been dashed and many undone. 
And as to giving them notice at Leyden of this change, he could 
not onaccount of the shortness of the time, besides he knew it 



■^ Alteration of the conditions. — 
The merchants at London who 
had agreed to assist the colonists 
with money wished the original 



conditions of the agreement at Ley- 
den to be altered, and to this the 
agtnts consented. 



PL YMO XJTH PL ANT A TIOK 25 

would trouble and hinder the business wliich had already been 
too long delayed for the season of the year, which lie feared they 
would find to their cost. But these things did not give any satis- 
faction at present. 

Mr. Weston also came up from London to see them off and 
to have the conditions confirmed ; but they refused, and an- 
swered him that he knew right well that these were not accord- 
ing to the first agreement, neither could they yield to them with- 
out the consent of the rest that were left behind. Indeed, they 
had special instructions when they came away, from the chief of 
those who were left behind, not to do it. At this he was much 
offended, and told them they must expect to stand upon their 
own legs. So he returned in displeasure, and this was the first 
cause of discontent between them. And as they needed nearly 
one hundred pounds to clear things at their going away, he would 
not take order to disburse" a penny, but left them to shift for 
themselves as they were able. So they were forced to sell some 
of their provisions to stop this gap. They sold some tliree or 
four score firkins of butter, which commodity they could best 
spare, having provided too large a quantity. 

All things being now ready, and every business dispatched, the 
company was called together. Then they distributed their com- 
pany for either ship, as they considered best. They chose a 
governor and two or three assistants for each ship, to order the 
people by the way," and to attend to the disposal of their provi- 
sions. This being done, they set sail about the 5th of August. 

"The ' embarkation' took place at Delft-Haven. Delft-Haven is an 
unimportant seaport on the long line of the Dutch coast, yet it is worthy 
of remembrance, for it marks the march of man toward the future and ' 
toward freedom. On the morning of the 22d of July, of the year 1620, a 
few persons, on the quiet quay, knew that a small, bark of sixty tons, 
called the Speedwell, was preparing for a voyage ; but whither and 
for what ? She was no merchantman bound for gain, no privateer for 
plunder, no holiday sail for pleasure, no explorer for new continents." — 
Motley. 

* HizhViXSQ.— Meaning? » By the way.— On the passage. 



26 



PLYMOVTH PLANTATION. 



CHAPTER Vni. 

Their Departure from England and Voyage to America. 



. Being thus put to sea, they had not gone far before Mr. 
Reinolds, the master of the small ship/ complained that he found 
his ship so leaky that he did not dare go further out to sea until 
she was repaired. So Mr. Jones, the master of the larger ship, 
being consulted with, both resolved to put into Dartmouth 
and have her examined. Some leaks being found and mended, 
it was thought by the workmen and all that she was seaworthy 
and they might proceed without fear on their voyage. So with 
good hopes they put to sea again, imagining they could go com- 
fortably on, and not expecting any more hindrances of this kind. 
But it happened otherwise, for after they were gone to sea again 
about one liundred leagues from Land's End,^ keeping together 
all the time, the master of the small ship complained that his ship 
was so leaky that he must bear up ^ or sink at sea, for they could 
scarcely free her with much pumping. So they consulted together 
again and resolved that both ships should back up again and put 
into Plymouth,* which accordingly was done. No special leak 
could be found, but it was judged to be the general weakness of 
the ship, and that she would not prove sufficient for the voyage. 
It was therefore decided to dismiss her and part of the company 
and proceed with the other ship. So after they took out such pro- 
visions as the other ship could well stow, and concluded what num- 
ber and what persons to send back, they made another sad part- 
ing, one ship going back to London, and the other proceeding on 
her voyage. 



' Speedwell, 
' Land's 'En^.— WJiere ? 
^ Bear up.— To change the course 
of a ship when close-hauled, or sail- 



ing with a side wind, and make her 
run before the wind. 
-* Plymouth, England. 



PLYMOUTH PLANTATTOK 



27 



These troubles blown over, and now^ all being compact in one 
ship, they put to sea again with a prosperous wind, which lasted 
several days, and was some encouragement to them; yet according 
to the usual manner many were afflicted with seasickness. 
After they had enjoyed fair winds and weather for a season, 
they would often encounter cross winds, and meet with many 
fierce storms, with which the ship would be greatly shaken. This 
caused them some fear that the ship would not be able to per- 
form the voyage. But upon consideration the master and 
others affirmed that they knew the ship was strong and firm under 
water. ^ So they resolved to proceed. In some of these storms the 
winds were so fierce and the sea so high that they could not bear 
a knot ' of sail, but were forced to hull for days together. In one 
of them, as they lay in a fearful storm, a strong young man. com- 
ing upon one occasion above the gratings, was, by force of the 
waves, washed overboard. He kept hold of the topsail halyards," 
and was hauled up by the same rope to the edge of the water, 
and his life saved. In this voyage but one passenger died. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Search for a Landing. 



But to omit other things that I may be brief, after long 
beating at sea they came to that land which is named Cape Cod,' 
which being reached and certainly known, they were not a little 



5 Now.— Sept. 6. 

6 Under water.— Below the water- 
line. 

' Knot. — A nautical mile. A term 
to indicate the progress of a vessel. 
The meaning here is, that the storms 
were so severe that the vessel could 



not carry any sail, but was driven 
before the wind, i.e., was forced to 
hull. 

^ Halyards. — Ropes for hoisting 
and lowering the sails. 

' Cape Cod. — Where? Why so 
named f 



28 



PL YMO VTH PL ANT A TION. 



joyful.^ AliQ.r some deliberation among themselves and with 
the master of the ship, they tacked about and resolved to steer 
southward, the wind and weather being fair, to find some place 
about Hudson Eiver for their habitation. But after they had sailed 
the course about half a day they fell among dangerous shoals and 




roaring breakers, and w^ere so far entangled therewith that they 
thought themselves in great danger, and the wind dying away, they 
decided to turn towards the Cape again. The next day they got 
into the harbor, where they rode in safety. Being thus arrived 
in a good harbor, and brought safely to land, they fell upon their 
knees and blessed the God of heaven who had brought them over 
the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils 



'^ The Mayflower dropped her anchor in the roadstead of what is now 
Provincetown Harbor. 



PL YMO JIT II PLANT A TION. 



39 



and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable 
earth, their proper element. 

Having thus passed tlie vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before in 
their preparation,' they had now no friends to welcome them, nor 
inns to entertain or refresh their weather-beaten bodies, no houses 
or, much less, towns to repair to, to seek for succor." It was win- 
ter, too, and they who know the winters of the country know 
them to be sharp and violent, subject to furious storms, danger- 
ous for travel from place to place, much more for searching an 
unknown coast. Besides, what could they see but a hideous and 
desolate wilderness, full of wild beasts and wild men ? If they 
looked behind them there was the mighty ocean which they had 
passed, and which was now a barrier and gulf to separate them 
from all the civilized world. 

If it be said they had a ship to succor them, it is true; but 
what did they hear daily from the master and company? — that 
with their shallop' they should, with ^peed, seek out a place, at 
some neard istance, where they would be; for the season was 
such that he would not stir from thence till a safe harbor was 
discovered into which he might go without danger. Further- 
more, the victuals were being consumed, but he must and 
would keep sufficient for themselves^ and their return. What 
could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace? 
May not the children of these fathers rightly say: ^'Our fathers 
were Englishmen who came over this great ocean, and were ready 
to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord and 
He heard their voice, and looked on their adversity " ? 



3 To what is reference made ? 

^ The nearest English settlements 
were at Newfoundland and Vir- 
ginia. 

^ Shallop. — A boat with sail, mast, 



and oars, but no deck. Some car- 
ried twenty or thirty men. (See 
illustration, p. 32.) 

^ Themselves. — The master and 
sailors. 



30 PL Y3I0 UTH PL ANT A TION, 



CHAPTER X. 

Arrival at Cape Cod. 

Haying arrived at Cape Cod on the lltli of November, neces- 
sity called them to seek a place for habitation. Whereupon a 
few of them volunteered to go by land and discover the nearest 
places. It was thought that there might be some danger in the 
attempt, yet seeing them resolute they were permitted to go, six- 
teen of them well armed, under the conduct of Captain Standish, 
having such instructions as were thought best. They set forth 
the 15th of November, and when they had marched about a 
mile by the seaside, they saw five or six persons with a dog 
coming towards them. These were savages ; but they fled into 
the woods, and the English followed them, partly to see if 
they could speak with them, and partly to discover if there 
might not be more of them lying in ambush. But the Indians, 
perceiving that they were followed, again forsook the woods, and 
ran away on the sands as hard as they could, so that our men 
could not come near them. 

Afterwards the English directed their course towards the 
shore, for they knew it was a neck of land ' they were to cross 
over, and so they at length got to the seaside, and marched 
to discover some river, and by the way found a pond of clear, 
fresh water, and shortly after a good quantity of clear ground 
where the Indians had formerly set corn,^ and also found some of 
their graves. So the time assigned them having expired they 
returned to the ship, lest their friends should be concerned 
regarding their safety. They took with them part of the corn, 

'Because of the explorations of | '' Set corn. — Planted fields of corn, 
Gosuokl in 1602, and his maps. 



PLYMOUTH PLANTATION . 3j^ 

a]id buried up tlie rest. After this, the shallop being got ready, 
they set out again for the better discovery of the j^lace. 

The month of November having passed in these alf airs, and much 
bad weather setting in, on the Cth of December they sent out 
their shallop again with ten of th-eir principal men, and some sea- 
men. After they were landed it grew late, and they made them- 
selves a barricade with logs and boughs, as well as they could in the 
time, and sent out their sentinel and laid themselves to rest, in 
sight of the smoke of the fire that the saA^ages made during the 
night. When morning was come they divided their company, 
some to coast along the shore in the boat, while the rest marched 
through the woods to see the land, and to find, if they could, any 
suitable place for a dwelling. So they ranged^ up and down all 
day, but found no place that they liked. 

When the sun set they hastened out of the woods to meet the 
shallop, which they signalled to come into a creek hard by. So they 
made a barricade, as they usually did every night, with logs, stalks, 
and thick pine-boughs, the height of a man, leaving it open to 
leeward, partly to shelter them from the cold and w^ind — making 
their fire in the middle and lying around it — and partly to defend 
themselves from the assaults of the savages, if they should sur- 
round them. Being very weary, they laid themselves down to 
rest. About midnight they heard a hideous cry, and their senti- 
nel called ''Arm, arm;" so they hurried themselves and shoul- 
dered their arms, and shot ofi' a couple of muskets, and then the 
noise ceased. They concluded that it must be a pack of wolves, 
or other wild beasts; for one of the seamen told them he had 
often heard such noises in Newfoundland. 

So they rested until about five o'clock in the morning. 
After prayer they prepared for breakfast, and it being the dawn 
of day it was thought best to commence carrying things clown to 
the boat. Presently, all of a sudden, they heard a great and 
strange cry, whicli they knew to be the same voices heard in 
the night, though they varied their notes, and one of their corn- 



Ranged. —Meaning ? 



32 



PL YMO VTH PL ANT A TIOK 



pany being abroad came running in, and cried^ ^' Men, Indians, 
Indians!" and at tlie same time arrows came flying among 
them. The cry of the Indians was dreadful, especially when 




'v saw oui- men running out 
their rendezvous towards the 
^hallop, to recover their arms. 
The Indians meanwhile were 
wheeling about on them. Not one of our men was either hit or 
hurt, although the arrows came close by them on every side, and 
some of their clothes, which hung up in the barricade, were shot 
through and through. Afterwards they gave/Grod solemn thanks 
and praise for their deliverance, and gathered ^ip a bundle of the 
arrows, and afterwards sent them to England by the master of 
the ship, and called that place ^^the first encounter." 

From this place they departed, and coasted all along, but 
saw no place for a harbor. After some hours' sailing it began to 
snow and rain, and about the middle of the afternoon the wind 
increased and the sea became very rough. They broke their 
rudder, and it was as much as two men could do to steer with a 
couple of oars, But their pilot bade them be of good cheer^ for 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION. 



33 



he saw the harbor; but the storm increasing, and night coming 
on, they bore what sail they could to get in while they could 
see. But here they broke their mast in three ^oieces, and their 
sail fell overboard in a very heavy sea, so that they came near be- 
ing cast away; yet they recovered themselves/and, having the tide 
with them, struck into the harbor. 

Although it was very dark and rained hard, yet at last they 
got under the lee of a small island and remained there all night 
in safety. But they did not know this was an island' until morn- 
ing. On Monday they sounded the harbor and found it fit for 
shipping; and marched into the land, and found many cornfields, 
and little running brooks. It was a place which they supposed 
to be fit for habitation; at least it was the best they could do, 
and the season and their present necessity made them glad to 
accept of it. So they returned to their ship again with this 
news to the people, which was a source of great comfort to them. 

On the 15th of December they weighed anchor to go to the 
place they had discovered, and came within two leagues of it, but 
were compelled to bear up again; but the 16th day the wind be- 
came iair, and they arrived safely in this harbor.' Afterwards 
they took a better view of the place, and resolved where to pitch 
their dwelling, and on the 25th day began to erect their first 
house for common use, to receive them and their goods. 



"December 11th, celebrated as the day of the landing of the Pilgrims 
at Plymouth. It corresponds to Dec. 21st, new style. By a singular error 
the 22d was supposed to be the true ' Forefathers' Day,' and for years has 
been duly observed as such. " 



* Clark's Island. — Named for the 
master's mate of the Mayflower, 
one of the exploring party. There 
is here a large boulder with the m- 



scription, " On the Sabbath Day we 
rested." 
^ Harbor. — Plymouth. 



34 PL Y3I0 UTH PL ANT A TION. 



CHAPTER XI. 
The Remainder of the Year 1G20. 

I SHALL here turn back a little in my narrative and begin with 
a combination made before they came ashore, being the first foun- 
dation of their government in this place; occasioned partly by 
discontented and mutinous speeches that some of the strangers 
among them had let fall in the ship — that when they came 
ashore they would use their own liberty; for none had power to 
command them, the patent that they had being for Virginia, and 
not for New England, which belonged to another government, 
with which the Virginia company had nothing to do. 

The form was as follows : 

In the name of God, Amen. We wJiose names are underivrit- 
teii, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign lord, King James, 
hy the grace of God, of Great I^ritain, France^ and Ireland, 
king, defender of the faith, etc., ha,ving undertaken, for the glory 
of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and ho nor of our 
king and country, a voyage to jjlant the first colony in the northern 
part of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in 
the presence of God, and of one another, covenant and combine 
ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering 
aiid preservation and furtherance of tlie ends aforesaid ; and by 
virtue hereof, to enact, constitute, and frame such just and eciual 
laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, 
as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the genercd good 
of the Colony unto whicli we promise all due submission and obe- 
dience. In witness ivhereof we have hereunto subscribed our 
names at Cap>e Cod, November 11, in the year of the reign of our 
sovereign- lord. King James, of England, France, and Ireland 
the eighteenth, and of Scotland tJie fifty fourth. An° : Dom. 1620. 

After this they chose, or ratliej: confirmed, Mr. John Carver, 



PLYMOUTH rLANTATrOK 



35 



a man godly aud well approved amongst them, their Governor 
for that year. And after they had provided a place for their 
goods, or common store, which were long in unloading for want 
of boats, foulness of winter weather, and the sickness of many of 
them, and begun some small cottages for their habitations, as 
time would admit, they met and consulted about law and order, 
both for their civil and military government, as the necessity of 
their condition required. 

That which was most sad and lamentable was, that in two or 
three months' time half of their company died, being infected 
with the scurvy and other diseases, which this long voyage and 
their lack of accommodations had brought upon them; so that 
two or three died in one day, and out of one hundred and odd 
persons hardly fifty remained. And of these during the time of 
greatest distress not more than six or seven were sound, who, to 
their commendation be it said, spared no pains either day or 
night, but with great labor and danger to their own health 
brought wood, made them fires, dressed them meat, made their 
beds, in a word did everything necessary for them; and all this 
was willingly and cheerfully done, without any grudging in the 
least, showing herein their true love unto their friends and breth- 
ren. A rare example, and one worthy to be remembered.^ Two 
of these seven were Mr. William Brewster, their reverend elder, 
and Myles Standish,' their captain and military commander, unto 
whom myself and many others were much beholden in our low 
and sick condition. 

But I may not here pass by another remarkable passage not 
to be forgotten. The passengers were hurried ashore and made 
to drink water, that the seamen might have the more beer, and 
one ^ in his sickness desiring but a small can of beer, was answered 



'Myles Standish was born in 
Lancashire, went over into the Low 
Countries when young, and was a 
soldier there, and there became ac- 
quainted with the church at Ley- 
den. He was a man of small stat- 



ure, but of unquestioned courage 
and resolution, and was for many 
years the captain of the colonists 
in all their warfare. He died in 
1655. 
•^One.— Wm. Bradford, 



36 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TIOK 



that if he were their own father he should have none. Another 
lay scolding his wife^ saying if it had not been for her he had 
never come on this unlucky voyage, and anon scolding his fel- 
lows, saying he had done this and that for some of them, he had. 
spent so much, and so much, amongst them, and they were now 
weary of him, and did not help him in his need. Another agreed 
to give his companion all he had, if he died, to help him in his 
weakness; he went and got a little spice and made him a mess of 
meat once or twice, and because he did not die as soon as he ex- 
pected, he went amongst his fellows, and swore the rogue would 
cheat him, and that he would see him choked before he pre- 
pared him any more meat; and yet the poor fellow died before 
morning. 

All this time the Indians came skulking about them,' and 
would sometimes show themselves afar off, but when any one at- 
tempted to approach them they would run away. Once they stole 
their tools where they had been at work and while they were gone to 
dinner. About the 16th of March a certain Indian came boldly 
among them and spoke to them in broken English which they 
could well understand but were astonished at. His name was 
Samoset; he told them also of another Indian whose name was 
Squanto, a native of this place, who had been in England ^ and 
could speak better English than himself. Being dismissed, after 
some time of entertainment and with gifts, he afterward came 
again, and five more with him, and they returned all the tools 
that had been stolen, and made way for the coming of their great 
Sachem, called Massasoit; who, about four or five days after, came 
with the chief of his friends and other attendants and with the 
aforesaid Squanto. 

After friendly entertainment, and some gifts given him, they 
made a peace with Massasoit, which has^ now continued for 
twenty-four years, in these terms: 



^ Squanto had been kidnapped 
by one Captain Hunt seven years 
before, and carried to England. 
He returned witli an exploring 



party sent out by Sir Ferdinand© 
Gorges. 

^ Bradford was writing this narra- 
tive in 1645, 



PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 



37 



1. That neither he nor any of his should injure or do hurt to 
any of their people. 

2. That if any of his did any hurt to any of theirs, he should 
send the offender that they might punish him. 

3. That if anything were taken away from any of theirs, 
he should cause it to be restored; and they should do the like to 
his. 

4. If any did unjustly war against him, they would aid him; if 
any did war against them, he should aid them. 

5. He should send to his neighboring confederates ^ to certify 
them of this, that they might not wrong them, but might be 
likewise comprised in the conditions of peace. 

6. That when their men came to them, they should leave their 
bows and arrows behind them. 

After these things he returned to his place called Sowams," but 
Squanto continued with them. He directed them how to set 
their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities, 
and was also their pilot to bring them to unknown places for 
their profit, and never left them until he died. 



CHAPTER XII. 

EVEKTS OF 1621. 



They now began to dispatch the ship which brought them over, 
and which lay' until about this time or the beginning of April. 
On the 14th of January the house which they had made for a 
general rendezvous by accident caught fire, and some were com- 
pelled to go aboard ship for shelter. Then sickness began to 
come amongst them, and the weather was so bad that they could 
not make any greater haste. 



5 Confederates. — AUies. 
^ So warns. — Now the 
Warren, R. I. 



town of 



' Lay. — Remained at anchor in the 
harbor. 



38 



PLY3fOUTlT PLANTATIOlf. 



In the month of April while they were busy about their seed, 
their Governor, Mr. John Carver, came out of the field very sick, 
it being a hot day; he complained greatly of his head, and lay 
down, and within a few hours became unconscious, so that he 
never spoke again, and died within a few days. Shortly after 
William Bradford was chosen Governor in his stead, and not 
being fully recovered from his illness, in which he had come near 
dying, Isaac Allerton was chosen to be an assistant to him. By 
renewed election every year, he continued several years in suc- 
cession, which I here note once for all. 

May 12th was the date of the first marriage'* in the place, 
which, according to the laudable custom in the Low Countries in 
which they had lived, was considered best to be performed by 
the magistrate. 

Having finished their business at home it was thought advis- 
able to send some of their number to visit their new friend Mas- 
sasoit, and to show him some gratitude in order to attach him to 
them. So on the 2d of July they sent Mr. Edward Winslow and 
Mr. Hopkins, with the aforesaid Squanto for their guide, to give 
him a suit of clothes, and a horseman's coat, with some other 
small things, which were kindly accepted; but they found but 
short commons,^ and came home both weary and hungry. For 
the Indians used then to have nothing like so much corn as 
they have since the English have stocked them with their 
hoes, and seen to their industry in breaking up new grounds 
therewith. 

They found Massasoit's place to be about forty miles dis- 
tant, the soil good, and not many people, as there had been great 
mortality in these parts about three years before the arrival of 
the English, when thousands of them died — so many, in fact, that 
the living were not able to bury the dead, and their bones and 



^ First marriage. — Edward Wins- 
low and Susannah White. 

3 Short commons. — A scanty supply 
of food. In the Eno-lish universi- 



ties the food provided for each stu- 
dent at breakfast is called his Gom- 
Tnons. Hence food in general. 



PL YMO VTir PL ANT A TIOK '^,9 

skulls were found in many 2)laces still lying above the ground. 
This party brought back woi-d that a tribe of Indians called 
the Narragansetts lived on the other side of the great bay; that 
they were a strong people, many in number, living compact to- 
gether, and had not been touched by this wasting plague. 

Peace and acquaintance was pretty well established between the 
English and the natives about them; and another Indian called 
Hobomack came to live amongst them — a good strong man, and 
of importance for his valor and talents among the Indians, — who 
continued very faitliful to the English until his death. 

On the 18th of September they sent out their shallop to Mas- 
sachusetts Bay with ten men, and Squanto for their guide and 
interpreter, to discover and view the ba}^, and trade with the na- 
tives; which they did, and found kind entertainment. 

The people were much afraid of the Tarentins,* a people to 
the eastward, who used to come in harvest time and steal away 
their corn, and many times killed some of their number. They 
returned in safety and brought home a good quantity of beaver, 
and made a report of the place, wishing they had located there; 
but it seems that the Lord, who assigns to all men the bounds of 
their habitations, had appointed it for another use. 

They now began to gather in the small harvest they had, and to 
fit up their houses and dwellings against the winter. They were 
well recovered in health and strength, and had all things in 
great plenty; for as some were employed in affairs abroad, others 
were engaged in fishing for cod, bass, and other fish, of which 
they caught a fair quantity, and of which each family had its 
share. All the summer there was no want. And now as winter 
approached, there began to come in. store of fowl, with which this 
place did abound. Besides water-fowl, there was a great store of 
wild turkeys, of which they took many, and also stored a supply of 
venison. They also laid in a peck of meal a week to a person, or, 
now since harvest, Indian corn in the same proportion. This 
made many afterwards write their friends in England such glow- 

•^Tarentins.— Indians living beyond the Penobscot River. 



40 PL TMO UTH plant a flOlT . 

ing accounts of the plenty they enjoyed; and they were not exag- 
geiated, but true reports. 



" The husbandry of the first summer had been prosperous on its small 
scale. The crop of peas failed, but the barley was ' indifferent good,' and 
there was ' a good increase of Indian corn. ' Fish and game were abundant. 
By the autumn, seven substantial dwellings had been built. Health was 
restored. The Governor sent out a party to hunt, that so they might, after 
a special manner, rejoice together after they had gathered the fruit of their 
labors. This was the first celebration of the national festival of New Eng- 
land, the autumnal Thanksgiving." — Palfrey. 



CHAPTER XIIl. 



The Arrival of '^The Fortune" a:n^d ^'The Charity." 
Trouble with the Indians. 

November, 1G21. 

About twelve months from the time of their own arrival, 
there came to them unexpectedly from England, in a small ship,' 
a party of thirty-five persons, among whom was Mr. Cusliman. 
As these people came out as settlers in this plantation they were 
not a little rejoiced to find the colonists in such good condition, 
and their larders "^ abundantly supplied with provisions, for most 
of them were robtist young men, and many of them wild enough 
to little consider whither they went or what they came for until 
they found themselves in the harbor of Cape Cod. When they 
were landed they had not so much as a biscuit among them, or 
any other food, neither had tliey any bedding, nor many clothes, 
only some sorry things ^ they had in their cabins^not even a pot 
or a pan in which to cook food. The plantation was glad of this 

'Small ship.— The Fortune, of 55 I - Larders.— J/m/im.a.? 
tons. I 3 Sorry things. — Meaning? 



PL Y3W VTII PL ANT A TION. 



41 



addition of strength, but wished that many of them had been in 
better condition, and that all were better supplied with provisions; 
but that could not be helped. 

By this ship Mr. Weston sent from England a long letter to Mr. 
Carver, the late Governor, now deceased, full of complaints and 
expostulations about former passages* at Southampton, and keep- 
ing the ship so long in the country, and returning her without 
lading. This ship, called the Fortune, was speedily dispatched, 
laden with good clapboard as full as she could stow, and two 
hogsheads of beaver and otter skins. The freight was estimated 
to be worth near five hundred pounds. * Mr. Cushman also re- 
turned with the ship, to make a personal report to the merchant 
adventurers. 

After the departure of this ship, which did not remain over 
fourteen days, the Governor and his assistant having disposed of 
the new-comers as they best could, took an exact account of all 
their provisions, and proportioned the same to the number of 
persons, and found out that it would not hold out more than six 
months at half allowance, and hardly that. And they could not 
well give less this winter time till fish came in again. So they 
were presently put on half allowance, one as well as another, 
which began to be hard, but they bore it patiently. 

Soon after this ship's departure the great people of the Narra- 
gansetts,^ in a braving manner, sent a messenger unto them with 
a bundle of arrows tied with a great snake-skin, which their in- 
terpreters told them was a threat and a challenge.^ Upon which 
the Governor with the advice of others sent them a round answer * 
that if they had rather have war than peace, they might begin 
when they pleased; they had done them no wrong, neither did 



^ Passages. — Transactions. 

5 Five hundred pounds. — How 
many dollars ? 

^ The Narragansetts were a pow- 
erful and warlike tribe that inhab- 
ited nearly all the territory of what 
is DOW included in the State of 



Rhode Island. It is said that at 
one time they could muster above 
five thousand fighting men, 

"> Threat and challenge. — Differ- 
ence in meaning? 

8 Bound answer. — Meaning? 



42 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION. 



any fear them, nor should tlie}^ find them nnprovided: and by 
another messenger sent the snake-skin back with bullets in it; 
but they would not receive it, and so sent it back again. 

This made them more careful to look out for themselves, so 
that they agreed to enclose their dwellings with a good strong 
pale,® and make flankers ^^ in convenient places, with gates which 
they locked every night, and kept a watch. 

Herewith I shall end this year. Only I shall remember one 
passage more, rather of mirth than of weight. On Christmas day 
the Governor called them all out to work, as was usual; Ijut the 
most of this new company " excused themselves, and said it went 
against thei^ consciences to work on that day. So he led away the 
rest and left them; but when they came home at noon from their 
work he found the new-comers in the streets at play, openly — some 
pitching the bar, ''' and some at stool-ball, '^ and similar sports. So 
he went to them and took away their implements, and told them 
that it was against his conscience that they should play and 
others work. If they made the keeping of it a matter of devotion, 
let them keep their houses; but there should be no gaming or 
reveling in the streets. Since which time nothing has been at- 
tempted in that way, at least openly. 

Now ^* after a manner their provisions were wholly spent, and 
they looked hard for supply, but none came. But about the end 
of May they spied a boat at sea, which at first they thought was 
some Frenchman; but it proved to be a shallop which came from 
a ship which Mr. Weston and another had sent out fishing, at a 
place called Damarins Cove,^^ forty leagues to the eastward of 



^ Pale — Stakes for inclosing land. 

10 Flankers.— Forts. 

" New company. — Those who came 
in the Fortune. 

'^ Pitching the bar was a trial of 
strength and skill. 

'■^ Stool-ball was played by any 
number of persons. Each player 
had a stool which he set upon the 



ground, taking his place in front of 
it. The object was to throw the 
ball so as to hit the antagonist's 
stool, as in cricket, only the hands 
were used instead of bats. 

'-' 1622. 

'^Damarins Cove Islands. — "West 
by north from Monhegan," off the 
coast of Maine, 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TIOX . 43 

them, where that year many more came fishing. This boat 
brought seven passengers and some letters, but no victuals or any 
hope of them. After this came another of his ships/" and 
brought letters dated April 10th. 

All hopes in regard to Mr. Weston were laid in the dust, and 
all his promised help turned into empty advice, which they ap- 
prehended was neither lawful nor profitable for them to follow. 
And they were not only thus left destitute of help in their extreme 
want, having neither victuals nor anything else to trade with, 
but others were ready to glean what the country might have 
afforded for their relief. 

During the summer they built a fort with good timber, both 
strong and comely, which was of good defense, made with a flat 
roof and battlements,^' on which their ordnance ^* was mounted, 
and where they kept constant watch, especially in time of danger. 
It served them also for a meeting-house, and was fitted up for 
that purpo e. 

The welcome tiuie of harvest now approached, but it did not 
amount to much in comparison with a full j^ear's supply; partly 
because they were not well acquainted with the way of raising 
Indian corn, and because of their many other employments, but 
chiefly on account of their weakness. 

It may be thought strange that these people should fall into 
these extremities in so short a time,^^ after being comfortably 
provided when the ship left them, and having the advantage of 
that portion of corn that was obtained by trade. It must needs 
be their great neglect, for they spent excessively whilst they had 
or could get it. 

No supply was heard of, neither knew they, when they might 
expect any. So they began to think how they might obtain a 
better crop than they had done, that they might not still lan- 
guish in misery. And so they assigned to every family a tract 
of land according to the proportion of their number, only for 

'6 The Chanty, of 100 tons. l '^ Or^nd^nce.— Meaning? 

n Battlements. — Meaning? \ '^ Weston's people. 1623. 



44 PLYMOUTH PLANTATION . 

present use, and ranged ^" all boys and youth under some family. 
This had very good success, for it made all hands very industri- 
ous, and much more corn was planted than otherwise would have 
been by any means the Governor or any one else could use. Be- 
sides, it saved a great deal of trouble and gave far better satisfac- 
tion. The women now went willingly into the field to set corn, 
and took their little ones with them, a thing which they would 
formerly have declared themselves unable to do. 

About the last of June a ship arrived ^' with Captain West, 
who had a commission to be Admiral of New England. He told 
the Governor that they spoke with a ship at sea, that was bound 
for this plantation with many passengers. About fourteen days 
after the ship referred to came in. It was called the Anne, and 
Mr. William Pierce was master of it. They brought about sixty 
persons to join the community, some of whom were very useful 
and became good members to the body, and some of them were 
the wives and children of those who were already here. 

When these passengers saw their low and poor condition they 
were much daunted and dismayed, and according to their vari- 
ous dispositions were variously affected: some wished themselves 
in England again; others fell to weeping, fancying their own 
misery in what they now saw in others; others pitied the distress 
they saw their friends had long been in, and still were under: in 
a word, all were full of sadness. 

By the time harvest was come, instead of famine, God gave 
them plenty, and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing 
of the hearts of many. The effect of their careful planting was 
well seen ; for all had very near enough to last the year, and some 
of- the abler sort and more industrious had to spare, so that no 
general want or famine has been among them since. 



" The situation of the colonists in the spring of 1623 was peculiarly dis- 
tressing. The narrative of their sufferings is affecting and thrilling. By 
the time their corn was planted, their victuals were spent, and they knew 

20 Ranged. — Meaning? Compare with same word page 31, and note 
difference in meaning. 21 ^1^^ Plantation. 



PL YM O UTH PL ANT A T ION. 45 

not at night where to have a bit in the morning ; nor had they corn or 
bread for three or four months together. Elder Brewster lived upon shell- 
fish. Tradition affirms that at one time there was but a pint of corn left in 
the settlement, which being divided, gave to each person a proportion of 
five kernels. In allusion to this incident, at the bi-centennial celebration 
in 1820, when much of the fashion, wealth, and talent of Massachusetts had 
congregated at Plymouth, and orators had spoken and poets sung the 
praises of the Pilgrims ; amidst the richest viands which had been pre- 
pared, five kernels of parched corn were placed beside each plate, a simple 
but interesting and afliecting memorial of the distresses of those heroic and 
pious men who won this fair land of plenty and freedom and happiness, 
and yet at times were literally in want of a morsel of bread. "—^/«^. of 
Mass. (Barry). 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Arrival of '^The Charity.'' 

1624. 

The time of the new election of their officers for the year 
having come, and the number of their people having increased, 
together with troubles, the Governor desired them to change the 
present incumbents/ and also to add more assistants to the Gover- 
nor, for the better carrying on of affairs. If it was any honor or 
benefit, it was fit that others should be made partakers of it; if 
it was a burden (as doubtless it was), it was but proper that 
others should bear it; and that was the end ^ of annual elections. 
The result was, that where there had been but one assistant, they 
now chose five, and afterwards increased tliem to seven. 

Shortly after this Mr. Winslow came over, and brought a pretty 
good supply. The ship ' came for fishing— a thing fatal to this 
plantation. He brought three heifers and a bull— the first begin- 
ning of any cattle in the land. 

A letter from England shall better declare these things : 

1 Gov. Bradford was re-elected. ^ The Charity. 

2 End.— Means intention in this place = " to that end." 



46 



PL YMO UfH PL ANT A TION. 



Beloved Sir: We have now sent yon, we hope, men and 
means for these things — fishing, salt-making," and boat-making; 
if you can succeed in them your wants may be s» pplied. I pray 
you exert yourself to establish these kinds of business. Let the 
ship be fraught^ as soon as you can, and sent to Bilbow/ This 
ship-carpenter is thought to be the fittest man for you in the land, 
and will no doubt do you much good. Let him have an absolute 
command over his servants, and such as you put to work with 
him. The salt-man is a skillful and industrious man: give him 
men who can quickly learn the mystery of it. The preacher we 
have sent is, we liope, an honest, plain man, though none of the 
most eminent and rare. 

We have taken a patent ^ for Cape Ann. I am sorry there is 
no more discretion used by some in their letters hither. Some 
say you are starved in body and soul ; others that the stories of 
the goodness of the country are gross and palpable ® lies; that 
there is scarcely a fowl to be seen or a fish to be taken, and 
many like reports. I wish such discontented men were hera 
again, for it is a misery when the whole state of the plantation is 
thus exposed to the passionate humors of some discontented men. 
And as for myself, I shall hinder in future some that would go. 

I am sorry we have not sent you more things; but the truth is, 
we have been to such expense to victual the ship, provide salt 
and other fishing implements, that we could not provide other 
comfortable things, as butter and sugar. I hope the return of 
this ship and the James will put us in cash again. The Lord 
make you full of courage in this troublesome business, which now 
must be stuck unto, till God give us rest from our labors. 
Farewell in all hearty affection. 

Your assured friend, 

Jan. 34, 1623. E. C. 



^ How was the salt made ? 

^ Fraught. — Meaning? 

^ Bilbow. — Bilboa, a port in Spain. 

'' Patent.— An official document 



conferring special rights on a per- 
son or party. 
« Palpable. — Meaning ? 



PLYMOUTH PLANfATTO^ . 4'J' 

With r(^gard to these objections, answers were then made unto 
them, and sent over at the return of this ship; wliich did so con- 
found the objectors, that some confessed their fault, and others 
denied what they had said, and ate tlieir words; ' and some others 
have since come over again and here lived, to convince them- 
selves sufficiently, both in their own and other men's judgment. 

That they might increase their tillage to better advantage, 
they made suit '" to the Governor to have some portion of land 
given them permanently, and not by yearly lot; for by that 
means that which the more industrious had brought into good 
culture (by much pains) one year, left it the next, and often an- 
other might enjoy it: so the cultivation of their lands was much 
slighted, and to less profit. Their request was granted. To 
every person was given only one acre of land, as near the town as 
might be, and they had no more until the seven years " had ex- 
pired. The reason was, that they might be kept close together 
both for more safety and defense, and the better improvement of 
the general employments. 

The ship which had brought this supply was speedily dis- 
charged, and with her master and company sent for fish to Cape 
An.n, of which place they had a patent. 



CHAPTER XV. 

Lyford and Oldham. 



The third important person which the letters before men- 
tion, was the preacher which they sent over, by name John 
Lyford, about whom and whose doings I must speak more fully, 
although I will abridge things as much as I can. When this man 



^ Ate their words. — Meaning ? 

'"Suit. — Request. 

1' The seven years. — The time 



which they had agreed to hokl all 
thin firs in common. 



48 PI y^O UTH PL ANT A TlOI^ . 

first came ashore, he sahited them with more reverence and hu- 
mility than is commonly seen, and indeed made them ashamed, 
he so bowed and cringed ' unto them, and would have kissed their 
hands if they had allowed him: yea, he wept and shed many tears, 
blessing God that had brought him to see their faces; and admir- 
ing the things they had done in their wants, as if he had been 
made all of love, and the humblest person in the world. 

After a short time he desired to become a member of the church 
here, and was accordingly received. He made a full confession of 
his faith, and blessed God for this opportunity of freedom and 
liberty to enjoy the ordinances of God in purity among his peo- 
ple, with many more such like expressions. I must here speak a 
word also of Mr. John Oldham, who was a copartner with him in 
his after courses. He had been a chief stickler ^ in the former 
faction, and an informer to those in England. He also desired 
that former things might be forgotten, and he be looked upon as 
one that desired to share with them in all things. Thereupon 
they showed all readiness to conduct themselves towards him 
in all friendliness, and called him to counsel with them in all 
important affairs, without any distrust. 

Thus all things seemed to go on very comfortably and smoothly 
amongst them; but this did not last long. 

When the ship was ready to go, it was observed that Lyford was 
long in writing, and sent many letters, and could not forbear 
from communicating to his intimates such things as made them 
laugh in their sleeves. ^ The Governor and some of his friends 
who knew how things stood in England, and what hurt these 
things might do, took a shallop and went out with the ship a 
league or two to sea, and called for all of Lyford 's and Oldham's 
letters. Mr. William Pierce being master of the ship, and know- 
mg well their evil dealing both in England and here, afforded 



'Cringed. — Meaning? I serving a grave or serious demeanor 

- Stickler. — Meaning? \ toward the person laughed at; origi- 

^ Laugh in their sleeves. — To laugh 1 nally by hiding the face in the wide 
privately or unperceived while pre- \ sleeves of former times. 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TlON . 49 

him all the assistance he could. He found about twenty of Ly- 
ford's letters, many of them long and full of slanders, and false 
accusations tending not only to their prejudice, but to the ruin 
and utter subversion * of the colonists. Most of the letters they let 
pass; of others they sent copies and kept the originals, lest he 
should deny them, and then they could produce his own hand 
against him. 

The ship went out towards evening, and in the night the Gov- 
ernor returned. They were somewhat surprised at it, but after 
some weeks, when they heard nothing had been known, they 
thought the Governor had only gone to dispatch his own letters. 
The reason that the Governor and the rest concealed these matters 
the longer, was to let things ripen, that they migjit the better 
discover their intents and see who were their adherents. 

As to Oldham, few of his letters were found, for he was so bad 
a scribe ^ that his writing was scarcely legible, yet he was as deep 
in the mischief as the other. Thinking that they were now 
strong enough, they began to pick quarrels with everybody. Old- 
ham being called to watch according to order, ^ refused to come, 
fell out with the captain, called him a beggarly rascal, resisted 
him, and drew his knife at him; though the officer offered him 
no wrong, but with all fairness required him to do his duty. 

To cut the matter short, it at length grew to this issue, that 
Lyford with his accomplices, without ever speaking one word 
to the Governor, church, or elder, withdrew themselves and set 
up a public meeting apart, on the Lord's Day; with sundry such 
insolent doings, too long here to relate, and began now publicly 
to act what they had long been plotting. 



** Subversion. — Meaning 1 

5 Scribe. — Meaning ? 

* According to order. — In his turn. 



The colonists kept watch in regular 
order. 



50 PL YMO UTH PL ANT A ttON^. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Expulsion of Lyford ajsd Oldham from the Colony. 

It was now thought higli time to prevent further mischief, and 
to call them to account; so the Governor called a court and sum- 
moned the whole company to appear. He then charged Lyford 
and Oldham with such things as they were guilty of. But they 
resolutely denied most things, and required proof. 

Then Lyford^s letters were produced and some of them read, 
at which he was struck mute. But Oldham began to rage furi- 
ously, because they had intercepted and opened his letters, and 
threatened them in very high language, and in a most audacious 
and mutinous manner stood up and called upon the people, say- 
ing, " My masters, where are your hearts? Now show your cour- 
age. You have of ten complained to me so and so: now is the 
time; if you will do anything, I will stand by you.^' He thought 
that every one that had soothed and flattered him, or otherwise 
in their discontent uttered anything unto him, would now side 
with him in open rebellion, but he was deceived, for not a man 
opened his mouth. 

After their trial and conviction the court censured them to be 
expelled from the place; Oldham immediately, though his wife 
and family had liberty to stay all winter, or longer, till he could 
make provision to remove them comfortably. Lyford had lib- 
erty to stay six months. It was, indeed, with some eye to his 
release, if he carried himself well in the mean time, and his re- 
pentance proved sound. Lyford acknowledged his censure was 
far less than he deserved. 

But what amazed all was, that after a month or two, not- 
withstanding all his former confessions, convictions, and public 
acknowledgments, both in the face of the church and whole 



PlYMOVTlt PLA^TAfiO^. 



51 



company, with so many tears and sad censures of himself before 
God and men, he should commence to again justify what he had 
done. For secretly he wrote a second letter to the adventurers 
in England, in which he justified all his former writings. 

In the spring of the year 1625, about the time of their election, 
Oldham came again amongst them; and though it was a part of 
his censure, for his former mutiny, not to return without leave, 
yet in his daring spirit he presumed to return without any leave at 
all, being prompted by the evil counsel of others. And not only 
so, but he suffered his unruly passion to run beyond the limits of 
all reason and modesty, insomuch that some strangers that came 
with him were ashamed of his outrage, and rebuked him; but all 
reproofs were but as oil to the fire, and made the flame of his 
anger greater. He called them all to naught,' in this his mad 
fury, and a hundred rebels and traitors, and I know not what. 
But in conclusion they committed him till he was tamer, and then 
appointed a guard of musketeers, which he was to pass through,' 
and every one was ordered to give him a thump with the butt- 
end of his musket. He was then conveyed to the water-side, 
where a boat was ready to carry him away. 

I now come to Mr. Lyford. His time having expired, his 
censure was to take place. He was so far from answering their 
hopes by amendment in that time, that he had doubled his 
evil, as is before noted. The moderators with great gravity de- 
clared that the former matters gave them cause enough to re- 
fuse him, and to deal with him as they had done. 

From hence Lyford went to Natasco,^ in Massachusetts Bay, 
where Oldham also lived. 



' Called to naught. — To be called 
of no account ; to revile. 
'^ Running the gauntlet. 



2 Natasco. — Kantasket, a peninsula 
near the entrance to Boston har- 
bor. 



5-3 



PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Events of 1626 akd '27. Returi^ of Stakdish. Distri- 
bution^ OF Land. 

About the beginning of April, 1626, the colonists heard of Cap- 
tain Standish's arrival/ and sent a boat to fetch him home and 
the things he had brought. He was welcome, but the news he 
brought was sad in many respects; not only in regard to former 
losses, which their friends had suffered, by which some were 
much disabled from giving any further help, and some dead of 
the plague, but also that Mr. Robinson, their pastor, was dead, 
which struck them with much sorrow and sadness. He further 
brought them word of the death of their old friend, Mr. Cush- 
man. 

At the usual season of the coming of ships, Mr. Allerton,^ 
who had been sent to England the year previous, returned, and 
brought some useful goods with him, according to the order given 
him. For upon his commission he took up two hundred 
pounds, which he now got at thirty per cent. They got the goods 
safely home, which was of much comfort and content to the 
plantation. 

The Governor and counsel had serious consideration al)out 
settling in reference to this new bargain, or purchase made, in 
respect to the distribution of things both for the j)resent and 



' Standisli had been dispatched to 
England to learn what terms could 
be made with the adventurers to- 
ward closing their contract of ser- 
vice and partnership with the colo- 
nists. 

'■^ Allerton was sent to conclude 
the negotiations thus begun, and he 



succeeded. " For the sum of eigh- 
teen hundred pounds, payable in 
nine annual installments, the Adven- 
turers were to release their contract. 
A partnership was now formed of 
all the men, under an agreement 
that the trade should be managed in 
the way of a joint-stock company." 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION . 53 

future. So they called the company together, and conferred with 
them, and came to this conclusion, that the trade should be 
managed as before, to help to pay the debts. Therefore they 
resolved, for sundry reasons, to take in all amongst them that 
were either heads of families, or single young men of ability, 
and all such persons as were above named should be reputed and 
enrolled for purchasers; single free men to have a single share, 
and every father of a family to be allowed to purchase so many 
shares as he had persons in his family; that is to say, one for 
himself, and one for his wife, and one for every child that he had 
living with him. As for the servants, they were to have only 
what either their masters should give them out of theirs, or what 
their deservings should obtain from the company afterwards. 
Thus all were to be divided into single shares, and every one 
was to pay his part towards the purchase, according to his propor- 
tion, and all other debts which the profits of trade would not 
cover. This gave all good content. Then they agreed that 
every person or share should have twenty acres of land, besides 
the single acres they had already; and they appointed where to 
begin — first on one side of the town, and then on the other side 
in like manner, and so to divide it by lot. 

There is one thing that occurred in the beginning of the 
winter before, which I have left for this place, that I may handle 
the whole matter together. There was a ship with many pas- 
sengers in her and sundry goods bound for Virginia. They had 
lost themselves at sea. either by the incompetency of the master 
or his illness, for he was sick and lame of the scurvy, so that he 
could but lie in the cabin-door and give directions. They came 
near the shoals of Cape Cod, and about high- water touched upon 
a bar of sand that lies before it, and threw out an anchor. After 
the Governor was well informed by the messengers of their con- 
dition, he caused a boat to be got ready, and such things to be 
provided as they wrote for, and went himself also and carried 
some trading commodities. These persons remained at Ply- 
mouth until some time the next year before they could have 
passage to Virginia. 



54 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION. 



This year also they had letters and messengers from the 
Dutch plantation, sent to them from the Governor there, and 
written both in Dutch and French. The Dutch had traded in 
these southern parts some years before they came, but began no 
plantation here till four or five years after their coming. ' 

After this there were many passages between them both by 
letters and other intercourse, and they had some profitable com- 
merce together for several years, till other occasions interrupted. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



Ke:n^nebec Patent. Intercourse with the Dutch. 
Expulsion of Morton. 

1G28. 

Having procured a patent for Kennebec, they now erected 
a house up in the river in the most convenient place ' for trade, 
and furnished the same with commodities for that end, both 
winter and summer, not only with corn, but also with such other 
commodities as the fishermen had traded with them, as coats, 
shirts, rugs, blankets, biscuit, peas, and prunes; and what they 
could not have out of England, they bought of the fishing ships, 
and so carried on their business as well as they could. 

This year the Dutch sent again unto them from their planta- 
tion both kind letters, and also diverse commodities, as sugar, 
linen cloth, Holland,^ finer and coarser stuffs. But that which 
turned most to their profit in time was an entrance into the 
trade of wampum/ for they now bought about fifty pounds' 



^ The first permanent colonization 
of New Netherlands was in 1623. 

^ Where Augusta now stands. 

'^ Holland. — A fine linen, first 
made in Holland. 



3 Wampum — Small beads made 
of different-colored shells, used by 
N. American Indians as money, and 
also t;' 
ment. 



PL YMO VTH PL ANT A TIOX. 55 

worth of it of them; and they told them how salable it was at 
their fort Crania/ and persuaded them they would find it so at 
Kennebec;- and so it came to pass in time, but it was two years 
before they could dispose of this small quantity, till the inland 
people knew of it; and afterwards they could scarce ever get 
enough for them, for many years together. 

And strange it was to see the great alteration it made in a few 
years among the Indians themselves, for all the Indians of these 
parts, and of Massachusetts, had none or very little of it, but the 
sachems, and some special persons, who wore it for ornament. 
But after it grew thus to be a commodity in these parts, these 
Indians took to it also, and learned how to make it; for the Nar- 
ragansetts gather the shells, of which they make it, from their 
shores. It has now continued as a commodity for the past twenty 
years, and may prove a drug in time. In the mean time it makes 
the Indians of these parts rich and powerful and also proud, and 
supplies them with pieces,' powder and shot, which no laws can 
restrain, and which, by reason of the baseness of sundry unworthy 
persons, both English, Dutch, and French, may turn to the 
ruin of many. Hitherto the Indians of these parts had no 
pieces, nor other arms except their bows and arrows; and for 
many years after they hardly dared to handle a gun, being very 
much afraid, and the very sight of one, though out of kilter," 
was a terror to them. 

And here I may take occasion to bewail the mischief that 
Morton ' began in these parts, since base covetousness has now 
at length got the upper hand, and made this thing common : 
for, notwithstanding laws to the contrary, the Indians are fully 
supplied with both fowling-pieces, muskets, and pistols. 

Some of the chief men of the straggling plantations, meeting 



■* Fort Orange, now Albany. 

* Pieces. — Fire-arms. 

fi Kilter. — Meaning? 

■" Morton was at Merry Mount, 
now Quincy, Mass., and he there 
was the leader of a company of riot 



ous men, and, among other things, 
set up a May-pole, which the stern 
morality of the Puritans condemned, 
upon which occasion he broached a 
cask of wine, and held high revel 
and carousal. 



56 PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION . 

together, agreed by mutual consent to solicit the Plymouth colo- 
nists, who were then stronger than them all, to join with them 
to prevent the further growth of this mischief, and to suppress 
Morton and his associates before they grew to greater strength. 
So they first resolved to write to Morton, and in a friendly 
and neighborly way admonish him, and sent a messenger with 
their letters to bring his answer. But he was" so high that he 
scorned all advice, and asked who had to do with him ? ' He also 
said that he had ^ and would trade pieces with the Indians, in spite 
of all. They sent to him a second time, and bade him to recon- 
sider. He answered in high '" terms as before. Thereupon they 
saw there was no way but to take him by force; and having 
gone so far, it would make him far more haughty and insolent if 
they should give up. So they mutually resolved to proceed, and 
got the Governor of Plymouth to send Captain Standish and 
some other aid with him to take Morton by force. They sum- 
moned him to yield, but he kept his house, and they could get 
nothing but scoffs and scorn from him. But at length, fearing 
they would do some violence to the house, he and some of his 
crew came out. They brought Morton away to Plymouth, 
where they kept him till a ship sailed from the Isle of Shoals" 
for England. 

This year Mr. Allerton brought over a young man for a 
minister to the people here. His name was Mr. Rogers; but 
they perceived, upon some trial, that he was crazed in his brain ; 
so they were obliged to be at the expense of sending him back 
again the next year, and be at the loss of the money expended in 
bringing him over. 

Mr. Allerton in previous years had brought over some small 
quantities of goods on his own risk, and sold them for his private 
benefit, which was more than any man had yet attempted. But 
because he had hitherto done them good service, and had sold 



^ Who had to do with him 1 - 
What business it was of theirs." 
^ Had.— Possessed, 



10 



High. — Haughty. 



" Isle of Shoals. — Where? 



P LYMOUTH PLANTATION 57 

his goods among the people of the plantation, whereby their 
wants were supplied, it '' was passed over. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Me. Allerton's Mistakes. Return of Morton, 1629-30. 

1G29. 

That I may handle things together, I have put in this place 
the two companies that came from Leyden. Though they 
came at different times, yet they both came out of England this 
year. The former company, being thirty-five persons, were 
shipped in May, and arrived here about August. The latter were 
shipped in the beginning of March, and arrived here the latter 
end of May, 1630. The cost of bringing them over, as Mr. Al- 
lerton afterwards brought it in on account, came to above five 
hundred and fifty pounds, besides transporting from Salem' and 
the Bay, where they and their goods were landed. In addition 
to this expense, their friends and brethren here were to provide 
corn and provisions for them, till they could reap a crop, which 
was a long time away. 

The Leyden people who thus came over, and sundry of the 
community, seeing and hearing how great the expense was likely 
to be, began to murmur at it, notwithstanding the burden lay 
on other menu's shoulders. 

Concerning Mr. Allerton's proceedings about the enlarging 
and confirming of their patent, both at home and at Kennebec 
much time and money were spent, yet he left it unaccomphshed 
this year, and came without it. ^ . 

Mr. Allerton gave them great and just offense, in bringing 
over this year, for base gain, that unworthy man and mstru- 

12 The expense of sending Rogers | ' ^^.lem.— Where? 
to England. 



58 



PL YMO VTM PL ANT A TIOK 



ment of mischief^ Morton, who was sent home but the year be- 
fore for his misdemeanors. He not only brought him over, but 
to the town, and lodged him at his own house, where for a while 
he employed him as a scribe to do his business, till he was forced 
to send him away. Morton went to his old nest, where it was 
not long before his misconduct gave them just cause to lay hands 
on him, and he was again sent prisoner by them to England, 
where he lay a good while in Exeter ^ jail. 

I believe that private gain had somewhat to do in leading Mr. 
Allerton aside; yet I believe, and charity makes me hope, that, 
in the main, he intended to deal fairly with them. 

Upon the consideration about the patent, it was concluded to 
send Mr. Allerton over this year, and this time with better suc- 
cess, for he obtained a grant under which the affairs of the 
colony were conducted for some years. 

Mr. Allerton followed his affairs, and returned (1630) with his 
ship, the White Angel. He was now no longer employed by 
the plantation; but his business was not ended until many years 
afterwards, nor well understood for a long time, to the great loss 
and vexation of the plantation, who in the end were, for peace' 
sake, forced to bear the unjust burden of the account, almost to 
their wrecking. 



CHAPTER XX. 



EoGER Williams. Settlement o:n^ the Conkecticut River. 

1633. 

This year Mr. Edward Winslow was chosen Governor. 

Mr. Roger AYilliams,' a godly and zealous man, having many 



' Exeter, England. 

'" Roger Williams was a Welsh- 
man, educated at London and Cam- 
bridge, Eng. He was the friend of 



Cromwell, Vane, and Milton. It 
is to be noted in estimating Wil- 
liams, that while detesting his opin- 
ions, men like Winthrop and Wins- 



PL TMO UfH PL A NT A fioN: 59 

precious qualities, but very unsettled in judgment, came over 
first to (Salem) Massachusetts, but upon some discontent left 
the place and came hither, where he was entertained in a friendly 
manner, according to our poor ability. He exercised his gifts 
among them, and after some time was admitted a member of the 
church. His teaching was well approved, and I am thankful to 
him even for his sharpest admonitions and reproofs, so far as 
they agreed with truth. He this year began to fall into some 
strange opinions, and from opinion to practice, which caused 
some controversy between the church and him, so that in the 
end he became discontented, and left the church somewhat ab- 
ruptly. Afterwards he sued for his dismissal to the church at 
Salem, which was granted, with some caution. But he is to be 
pitied and prayed for, and I desire the Lord to show him his 
errors, and lead him back into the way of truth, and give him a 
settled judgment and constancy, for I hope he belongs to the 
Lord. 

Having formerly had dealings with the Dutch, they were told 
by them of a river, called by them the Fresh Eiver, but now 
known by the name of Connecticut, which they often commended 
as a fine place both for habitation and trade, and wished them to 
make use of it. But up to this time, being fully occupied 
otherwise, they had let it pass. Afterwards there came a 
company of banished Indians, who were driven from thence by 
the power of the Pequods, who often solicited the English to go 
thither, promising them much trade, especially if they would 
keep a house there. And having now a good store of commodi- 
ties, and needing to look out where they could better themselves, 
they began to send that way to trade with the natives. They 
found it to be a fine place, but had no great store of trade. 
The Indians excused themselves on account of the season, and 



low remained his friends. He was 
generous when the several colonies 
were in danger, and his exile was 



salvation of the endangered planta- 
tions, for he alone was able to 
control the intractable Narrajran- 



remarkable for having proved the ' setts. "—Drake. 



60 PX YMO UTH PL ANT A TlON . 

the fear they were in because of their enemies. They were the 
first English that both discovered that place " and built in the 
same, though they were little better than thrust out of it after- 
wards. 

But the Dutch began now to repent, and hearing of the pur- 
pose and preparation of the English, endeavored to prevent them, 
by getting in a little before them, making a slight fort, and plant- 
ing two pieces of ordnance, which threatened to stop their pas- 
sage. But they made a small frame of a house, and having a 
great new bark, they stowed their frame, and boards to cover and 
finish it, together with nails and all other provisions, in her hold. 
When they came up the river, the Dutch demanded what they 
intended to do and whither they would go; they answered, up the 
river to trade. So they passed along, and though the Dutch 
threatened them hard, they did not shoot them. Coming to 
their place, the English built their house quickly, landed their 
provisions, left the companies appointed, and sent the bark 
home; they afterwards palisaded their house about, and fortified 
themselves better. The Dutch sent home word of what was 
done; and in process of time they sent a band of about seventy 
men, in warlike manner, with colors displayed, to assault them; 
but seeing them strengthened, and that it would cost blood, they 
returned in peace. 

This year many fell sick with an infectious fever, and upw^ards 
of twenty persons died, men and women, besides children. This 
disease also swept away many of the Indians from all the adjoin- 
ing places. 

* What is now the town of Windsor, on the Connecticut. 



PL YMO UTH PLANT A TION. 6 1 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Scourge of Small-pox amo:n'g the Indians. 
1G34. 

I AM now to relate some strange and remarkable passages. 
There was a company of people lived in the country, up above on 
the Connecticut River, a great way from their trading- house, 
who were enemies to those Indians who lived about them, 
and of whom they stood in some fear. Three or four Dutchmen 
went up in the beginning of winter to live with them, to get their 
trade, and prevent them from bringing it to the English. But 
their enterprise failed; for the Indians were visited with a great 
sickness, and such mortality, that out of a thousand above nine 
hundred and a half of them died, and the Dutchmen almost 
starved before they could get away, being detained by ice and 
snow. But about February they, with much difficulty, reached 
their trading-house, being almost dead with hunger and cold. 

Those Indians who lived about the trading-house also fell sick 
of the small-pox, and died most miserably. The condition of 
these people was so lamentable, and they fell down so generally 
with this disease, that they were in the end not able to help one 
another to make a fire, to fetch a little water to drink, nor any 
to bury the dead; but would strive as long as they could, and 
when they could procure no other means to make fire, they would 
burn the wooden dishes and trays they ate their meat in, and 
their very bows and arrows. Some would crawl out on all-fours 
to get a drink of water, and die by the way. 

But those of the English house, though at first they were afraid 
of the infection, yet seeing their woful and sad condition, and 
hearing their pitiful cries and lamentations, had compassion on 
them^ and daily fetched tliem wood and water^ and made them 



62 PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION. 

fires, got them victuals whilst they lived and buried them when 
they died. Few of them escaped, notwithstanding they did what 
they could for them, to their own hazard. The chief sachem 
himself died, and almost all his friends and kindred. But not 
one of the English was so much as sick, or in the least measure 
tainted with the disease. And this mercy which they showed 
them was kindly taken, and thankfully acknowledged by all the 
Indians that knew or heard of it, and the people here much 
commended and rewarded them for it. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Events from 1635-1645. 



Mr. Winslow ^ was very welcome to them in England, and 
the more in regard of the large return he brought with him, 
which came all safe to their hands, and was well sold. 

Mr. Edward Winslow was chosen Governor this year, 1636. 

This year two shallops going from Massachusetts colony to 
Connecticut with the goods of such as removed thither were cast 
away in an easterly storm while coming into this harbor by night. 
The boatmen Avere lost, and the goods were driven all along the 
shore, and strewed up and down at high-Avater mark. But the 
Governor caused them to be gathered up and drawn together, by 
which means most of the goods were saved, and restored to the 
owners. 

In the spring of 1637 the Pequods fell openly upon the 
English at Connecticut, and killed several of them as they were 
at work in the fields, both men and women, and went away in 
great pride and triumph, with many high threats. They also 
assaulted a strong and well-defended fort at the river's mouth; 

' Mr. Bradford omits to record his own elections. He was chosen 
Governor this year, 1635, 



PL YMO UTH PL ANT A TION. 



63 



and though they did not succeed, yet it alarmed and astonished 
the colonists. 

This year, 1638, Mr. Thomas Prince ^ was chosen Governor. 

It pleased God in these times so to bless the country with such 
emigration of people into it, that it was much enriched, and 
cattle of all kinds stood at a high price for several years together. 

I am to begin this year, 1G43, with what was a matter of great 
sadness and mourning unto all. About the 18.th of April their 
reverend elier, and my dear and loving friend, Mr. William Brew- 
ster, died. He was nearly, if not quite, fourscore years of age 
when he died. He had this blessing added by the Lord to all 
the rest, to die in his bed, in peace, in the midst of his friends, 
who mourned and wept over him, and ministered what help and 
comfort they could unto him, and he in turn comforted them 
whilst he could. His sickness was not long, and until the last 
day thereof he did not wholly keep his bed. 

By reason of the plottings of the Narragansetts, ever since the 
Pequod war, the Indians were drawn into a general conspiracy 
against the English in all parts, as was partly discovered the year 
before, and now made more plain and evident by the free con- 
fessions of sundry Indians upon several occasions, which gave 
opportunity to understand the truth tliereof and to think of 
means to prevent their conspiracy. This made them enter ijito 
nearer union and confederation. 

Mr. Edward Winslow was chosen Governor for 1644. Many 
having left this place by reason of their finding better accommo- 
dations elsewhere, the church began to consider whether it Avere 
not better jointly to remove to some other place than to be thus 
w^eakened. Many meetings and much consultation were held 
hereabout, and different opinions were expressed. Some were for 



' Thomas Prince came to the 
colony in 1621, in the ship Fortune. 
He was one of the first settlers at 
Eastham, 1644, and afterward re- 
turned to Plymouth, He was chosen 



Governor in 1634, 1638, and not 
again until 1657, and continued in 
that office by renewed elections 
sixteen consecutive years, till his 
death in 1673, 



64 



PL TMO UTU PL ANT A TLOK 



staying together in this place, alleging that men might live here 
if they would be content with their condition ; and it was not so 
much for want or necessity that they removed, as for the enrich- 
ing of themselves. Others were resolute upon removal. The 
greater part consented to a removal to a place called Nawsett,' 
which had been superficially viewed, and the good-will of the pur- 
chasers, to whom it belonged, obtained. And thus was this poor 
church left, like an aged mother, grown old and forsaken of her 
children. 

In 1645 the commissioners were called to meet together at 
Boston, before their ordinary time — partly in regard to some 
differences between the French * and the Government of Massa- 
chusetts, and partly about the Indians, who had broken the for- 
mer agreements about the peace concluded the last year. 

A treaty and agreement betwixt the commissioners^ of the 
United Colonies and the sagamores® and deputy of Narragansetts 
and Niantic Indians was made and concluded. Two Indians 
acquainted with the English language assisted therein; they 
opened and cleared the whole treaty, and every article, to the 
sagamores and deputy there present. 

And the war at this time was stayed and prevented. 



3 East ham. 

* French. — In Acadia. 

^ The commissioners of the United 
Colonies came from Connecticut, 
Plymouth, and New Haven to Bos- 
ton, and a New England Confeder- 
ation was formed. Thus the first 



attempt was made at the Federal 
system, which more than a century 
later became the central principle 
in the formation of the United 
States. 
« Chiefs. 



ENGLISH CLASSIC SERIES, 

FOR 

Classes in English Literature, Reading, Grammar, etc. 

EDITED BY EMINENT ENGLISH AND AMERICAN SCHOLARS. 

Each Volume contains a Sketch of the Author's Life, Prefatory and 
Explanatory Notes, etc., etc. 



1 Byron's Prophecy of Dante. 

(Cantos I. and II.) 
3 Milton's ly Allegro, and II Pen- 
seroso. 

3 liord Bacon's Essays, Civil and 

Moral. (Selected.) 

4 Byron's Prisoner of Cliillon. 

5 Moore's Fire Worshippers. 

(Lalla Rookh. Selected.) 

6 Goldsmith's Deserted Village. 

7 Scott's Marmion. (Selections 

from Canto VI.) 

8 Scott's Lay of the ILast Minstrel. 

(Introduction and Canto I.) 

9 Burns' s Cotter's Saturday Night, 

and other Poems. 

10 Crabbe's The Village. 

11 Campbell's Pleasures of Hope. 

(Abridgment of Part I.) 
13 Macaulay's Essay on Bunyan's 
Pilgrim's Progress. 

13 Macaulay's Armada, and other 

Poems. 

14 Shakespeare's Merchant of Ve- 

nice. (Selections from Acts I., 
in., and IV.) 

15 Goldsmith's Traveller. 

16 Hogg's Queen's Wake, andKil- 

meny. 

17 Coleridge's Ancient Mariner. 

18 Addison's Sir Boger de Cover- 

ley. 

19 Gray's Elegy in a Country 

Churchyard. 

20 Scott's Lady of the take. (Canto 

SI Shakespeare's As You Like It, 
etc. (Selections.) 

22 Shakespeare's King John, and 

Richard II. (Selections.) 

23 Shakespeare's Henry IV., Hen- 

ry v., Henry VI. (Selections.) 

24 Shakespeare's Henry VIII., and 

Julius Caesar. (Selections.) 

85 Wordsworth's Excursion. (Bk.I.) 

86 Pope's Essay on Criticism. 

87 Spenser's FaerieQueene. (Cantos 

I. an.i II.) 

88 Cowper's Task. (Book I.) 

29 Milton's Com us. 

30 Tennyson's Enoch Arden, The 

Lotus Eaters, Ulysses, and 
Tithonus* 



31 Irving's Sketch Book. (Selec- 
tions.) 

38 Dickens's Christmas Carol. 
(Condensed.) 

33 Carlyle's Hero as a Prophet. 

34 Macaulay's Warren Hastings. 

(Condensed.) 

35 Goldsmith's Vicar of Wake- 

field. (Condensed.) 

36 Tennyson's The Two Voices, 

and a Dream of Fair Women. 

37 Memory Quotations. 

38 Cavalier Poets. 

39 Hryden's Alexander's Feast, 

and MacFlecknoe. 

40 Keats' The Eve of St. Agnes. 

41 Irving's Legend of Sleeijy Hol- 

low. 
43 Lamb's Tales from Shake- 
speare. 

43 Le Kow's How to Teach Read- 

ing. 

44 W^ebster's Bunker Hill Ora- 

tions. 

45 The Academy OrthoJipist. A 

Manual of Pronunciation. 

46 Milton's Lycidas, and Hymn 

on the Nativity. 

47 Bryant's Thanatopsis, and other' 

Poems. 

48 Ruskin's Modern Painters. 

(Selections.) 

49 The Shakespeare Speaker. 

50 Thackeray's Roundabout Pa- 

pers. 

51 Webster's Oration on Adams 

and Jeflferson. 
58 Brown's Rab and His Frierjds. 

53 Morris's Life and Death of 

Jason. 

54 Burke's Speech on American 

Taxation. 

55 Pope's Rape of the Lock. 

56 Tennyson's Elaine. 

57 Tennyson's In Memoriam. 

58 Church's Story of the iEneid. 

59 Church's Story of the Iliad. 

60 Swift's Gulliver's Voyage to 

Lilliput. 

61 Macaulay's Essay on Lord Ba- 

con. (Condensed 1 
68 The Alcestis of Euripides. Engr- 
lish Version by Rev. R. Potter,M. A. 



(Additional numbers on next page.) 



^m 



- English Classic Series-~continued. 



63 The Antigone of Sophocles. 

English Version by Tbos. Franck- 
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64 Clizabeth Barrett Browning* 

(Selected Poems.) 

65 Bobert Browning. , fleeted 

PQems.) 

66 Addison, The Spectator. (Sel'nB.) 

67 Scenes from George Bitot's 

Adam Bede. 

68 Matthew Arnold's Cultnre and 

Anarchy. 

69 BeQiilncey's Joan of Arc* 

70 Carlyle'8 Essay on Boms. 

71 Byron's ChUde Harold's Pll- 

grimage. 

72 Poe's Baven, and other Poems. 

73 & 74 Maoaulay»s liord Cllve. 
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76 Trebster's^ Beply to Hayne. 
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76 ^& 77 Macanlay*«>XayB^of An- 
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78 American Patriotic Selections j 
B eclaration of independence, 
Washinifton's" Farewell Ad- 
dress, ^Lincoln's Gettysburg 
Speech, etc. 

79 & 80 Scott's I.ady of the I-alce. 
(Condensed*) 

81 & 83 Scott*s Marmlon. (Con- 

densed.) 
83 & 84 Pope's Essay on ISXan. 

85 Shelley's Skylark, Adonals, and 
other PoemB. 

86 Bickens's Cricket on the 
Hearth. (In preparation.) 

87 Spencer's Philosophy of Style. 
(In preparation.) 

88 liamh's Essays of Ella. Qsx 
preparation,) 

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